Ex-ASML, NXP staffer accused of stealing chip secrets, peddling them to Moscow

A Russian national appeared in a Netherlands court on Thursday accused of industrial espionage against ASML, the world’s leading manufacturer of chip factory equipment and a key supplier that helps the likes of TSMC pump out top-drawer processors.

The Netherlands General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) claims the Russian man is a former employee of ASML and Dutch semiconductor giant NXP, and made many trips to Russia where he met intelligence operatives to share chip-making secrets. It’s claimed he bagged €40,000 (£34,000, $44,000) in exchange.

The accused also apparently made contact with the Russian Innovative Engineering Center, a non-profit set up to advance chip technology.

Dutch intelligence allege he uploaded valuable insider info to Google Drive and shared it with his Russian contacts. Dutch press, who yesterday reported the accused’s appearance in a Rotterdam court, said it was claimed he stored trade secrets on USB thumb drives he carried into Russia.

The accused has apparently admitted he had ASML documents in his possession, but said he only took them home to advance his own knowledge. He’s also reportedly said those files were old and could not assist anyone to make semiconductors.

During the trial in Rotterdam, the accused’s attorney reportedly indicated he wants to call ASML execs to the stand to testify to the court whether or how employees, presumably ones like the defendant, can get their hands on internal advanced chip-making secrets.

We’re told the suspect was educated in Russia and moved to the Netherlands in 2015 after scoring a job at electron-beam lithography startup Mapper. That outfit went bust in 2020. ASML then acquired Mapper and hired the accused.

Although the defendant’s name, known publicly only as German A., is reportedly on four ASML patents, his performance was said to be less than satisfactory and he was laid off in 2021. He moved to semiconductor power-house NXP and later worked at Delft University.

Dutch police arrested him in August 2024, after a tip off from the intelligence services, and allegedly found confidential ASML documents on his computer plus material relating to Taiwanese chip-maker TSMC.

“ASML has no comment as this is an ongoing court case,” a spokesperson told The Register. ®

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