Ismail J. Ramsey, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California
Three engineers from San Jose have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to the theft of trade secrets from Google and other major technology companies. The defendants, Samaneh Ghandali, 41, Mohammadjavad Khosravi (also known as Mohammad Khosravi), 40, and Soroor Ghandali, 32, were arrested and appeared in federal court in San Jose.
According to the indictment unsealed today, the three obtained employment at prominent companies specializing in mobile computer processors. Samaneh and Soroor Ghandali, who are sisters, previously worked at Google before moving to another tech firm referred to as Company 3. Khosravi is married to Samaneh Ghandali and was employed at Company 2.
The indictment alleges that the defendants accessed confidential information during their employment and transferred sensitive documents—including trade secrets related to processor security and cryptography—to unauthorized locations. These included personal devices linked to each other's employers as well as destinations outside the United States such as Iran.
United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian stated: “As alleged, the defendants exploited their positions to steal confidential trade secrets from their employers. Our office will continue to lead the way in protecting American innovation and we will vigorously prosecute individuals who steal sensitive advanced technologies for improper gain or to benefit countries that wish us ill.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani added: “The alleged actions outlined in this indictment reflect a calculated betrayal of trust by individuals accused of stealing trade secrets from the very tech companies that employed them. According to the allegations, the method in which confidential data was transferred by the defendants involved deliberate steps to evade detection and conceal their identities. Protecting Silicon Valley innovation and defending the groundbreaking technologies that drive our economy and national security is a top priority for the FBI. We will continue to work with our private sector partners to hold accountable anyone who seeks to unlawfully exploit American ingenuity.”
The indictment details that while working at Google, Samaneh Ghandali moved hundreds of files containing company trade secrets onto a third-party platform with channels named after each defendant. Soroor Ghandali is also accused of transferring similar files during her tenure at Google. These materials were later copied onto various personal devices belonging both to themselves and Khosravi’s Company 2 work device as well as Soroor Ghandali’s Company 3 device.
Prosecutors allege that efforts were made by all three defendants to hide their activities by submitting false affidavits about their conduct; destroying exfiltrated files; removing records from electronic devices; and concealing how they transferred documents—for example, photographing screens rather than transmitting complete files electronically.
After Google’s internal security flagged suspicious activity involving Samaneh Ghandali in August 2023—resulting in her access being revoked—she signed an affidavit stating she had not shared any confidential information outside of Google. Prosecutors say she then searched online for ways to delete communications data alongside Khosravi while continuing unauthorized access using personal devices.
The indictment further alleges that just before traveling to Iran in December 2023, Samaneh Ghandali photographed nearly two dozen images of Khosravi’s work computer displaying proprietary information belonging to Company 2. While abroad, these images were accessed on her personal device along with other sensitive company material viewed by Khosravi.
All three are scheduled for another court appearance on February 20, 2026 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan van Keulen for identification of counsel.
At this stage of proceedings, all charges remain allegations; each defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. If convicted on conspiracy or theft charges under federal law (18 U.S.C §1832), they could face up to ten years’ imprisonment per count plus fines up to $250,000; obstruction charges (18 U.S.C §1512) carry potential penalties up to twenty years’ imprisonment per count plus similar fines.
This case is being prosecuted by the National Security and Special Prosecutions Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California following an FBI investigation.
