Greg Lui, also known as Yiu Kong Lui, has been arrested in California over an alleged scheme to send more than $300 million in export-controlled computer servers containing Nvidia chips to China. The U.S. Department of Justice says the shipments took place from 2023 to 2024 and went to buyers in China, including the Chinese government.
Lui owns Earthmade Computer Inc., a California-based company. Prosecutors say he and unidentified co-conspirators used false paperwork to make the shipments appear destined for approved users and destinations that did not require an export license. The allegations have not been established in court. Tom’s Hardware’s headline says Lui faces up to 20 years in prison, but the supplied report does not specify the charges or explain how that possible sentence would apply.
How were the servers routed?
According to prosecutors, the group first sent the servers to Malaysia and Singapore, then shipped them onward to China. The report says U.S. export restrictions did not apply in those transit countries, and alleges the paperwork concealed the shipments’ final destination.
The account describes the servers as containing restricted Nvidia chips, but does not name the chip models, give a shipment count or say how many servers reached Chinese buyers. It also does not identify the co-conspirators.
What remains unclear?
The Justice Department’s announcement was dated October 1, according to the report. The supplied text does not say whether Lui has entered a plea, provide details of the specific charges, or describe what happens next in the case. The claims are allegations, not a finding of guilt.
Why it matters
For companies that sell servers or prepare export paperwork, the case shows that prosecutors may scrutinize shipments routed through third countries when paperwork allegedly misstates the final destination. Lui has been arrested, but the supplied report does not say whether he has entered a plea or been convicted.
