Greg Lui DOJ Charges : On October 1, 2026, federal authorities arrested Greg Lui, a 38-year-old resident of San Gabriel, California (also known as Yiu Kong Lui), on serious charges tied to a massive alleged scheme involving U.S. export-controlled technology. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Lui faces a three-count federal indictment for smuggling more than $300 million worth of high-end computer servers containing advanced graphics processing units (GPUs) to China.
These servers, often used in advanced computing applications the government refers to as “Super Intelligence” (SI), are subject to strict U.S. export controls designed to protect national security. The case highlights ongoing efforts by American law enforcement to prevent sensitive technology from reaching adversaries.
Who Is Greg Lui and What Company Is Involved?
Greg Lui owns Earthmade Computer Inc., a technology company based in the City of Industry in California’s San Gabriel Valley. According to the indictment returned by a federal grand jury on September 29, 2026, Lui and unidentified co-conspirators allegedly used the company between 2023 and 2024 to purchase and divert restricted hardware.
Earthmade itself has not been charged. Prosecutors say the firm received more than $176 million from two Malaysia-based shipment companies between January and October 2024 as part of the alleged operation.
The Specific Charges Against Greg Lui
Lui faces three federal counts:
- One count of conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act and the Export Administration Regulations
- One count of outbound smuggling
- One count of conspiracy to commit money laundering
If convicted on all counts, he could face a maximum of 20 years in prison for the export-control conspiracy, 20 years for the money-laundering conspiracy, and 10 years for the smuggling charge.
An indictment is only an allegation. Lui is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. He was expected to make his initial court appearance and be arraigned in federal court in Los Angeles shortly after his arrest.
How the Alleged Smuggling Scheme Worked
Prosecutors claim Lui and his co-conspirators bought high-end computer servers containing U.S.-made GPUs (including advanced Nvidia chips commonly used for SI applications) from American manufacturers. They allegedly provided false documentation that misrepresented the end users and destinations as places that did not require export licenses.
The servers were then shipped to countries such as Malaysia and Singapore—locations where licenses were not required—before being illegally re-exported to China. One documented example involved a January 2024 purchase order for 27 servers valued at about $7.6 million. Those servers were shipped from the Los Angeles area to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In March 2024, a co-conspirator reportedly emailed a Malaysian official stating the servers had been transshipped to a China-based buyer.
U.S. regulations restrict these high-end GPUs because they could significantly contribute to the military potential of other nations. Officials emphasized that Lui allegedly knew the true end users were in China and that the exports violated U.S. rules intended to safeguard national security and foreign policy interests.
Why This Case Matters for U.S. National Security
Advanced chips power critical computing capabilities. The DOJ, FBI, Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security, and Defense Criminal Investigative Service have prioritized stopping illegal diversion of this technology.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated that protecting American advantages in the chips that power Super Intelligence technology is essential. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California stressed that the alleged use of false paperwork and third-country shipments put national security at risk for profit. FBI officials similarly highlighted the need to keep advanced technology from strengthening adversaries’ capabilities.
This case fits into a broader pattern of federal prosecutions targeting efforts to circumvent U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductors and related hardware destined for China.
Next Steps in the Case
The investigation remains ongoing. Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California and the National Security Division are handling the matter. Potential criminal and civil forfeitures of seized property are also under consideration.
As the case proceeds through the federal courts in Los Angeles, more details may emerge about co-conspirators, the full scope of the shipments, and any additional charges.
For Americans concerned about technology security, export controls, and the competition in advanced computing, the Greg Lui case serves as a high-profile example of how U.S. authorities are enforcing the rules designed to protect sensitive American innovations.