Federal prosecutors have charged three men with allegedly orchestrating a scheme to illegally export $2.5 billion worth of artificial intelligence technology to China, according to court documents filed by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The defendants are accused of using fraudulent documents and shell companies to circumvent U.S. export restrictions on advanced technology. The charges represent one of the largest alleged technology smuggling cases involving AI equipment in recent years.

According to the indictment, the scheme involved individuals with connections to Supermicro, a major computer server manufacturer. The alleged operation used dummy servers and fake documentation to disguise the true nature and destination of the technology exports.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between the United States and China over access to advanced technology, particularly in the artificial intelligence sector. U.S. authorities have increasingly scrutinized technology transfers to China amid national security concerns about the potential military applications of AI systems.

The specific charges and identities of the defendants were not detailed in the available court filings. The case is part of broader federal efforts to enforce export controls on sensitive technology and prevent unauthorized transfers to foreign adversaries.