Wang Yunhe, a Chinese national arrested in Singapore on May 24, 2024, for allegedly operating a global malware network, has formally objected to his extradition to the United States. This network reportedly allowed criminals to commit various offenses, including financial fraud and identity theft.

During a hearing at the State Courts on May 31, Senior District Judge Ong Hian Sun inquired whether Wang intended to surrender himself to U.S. authorities, following an extradition request made by Washington. The U.S. has a treaty with Singapore facilitating extraditions.

Wang’s lawyer, Ng Yuan Siang, indicated that his client does not consent to extradition. The judge noted the option for Wang to waive proceedings in favor of an expedited extradition process, a provision established in amendments to the Extradition Act in April 2022.

Despite attempts to present his case, Wang, who appeared via video link and communicated in Mandarin, was restrained by his attorney during the proceedings. The judge ultimately granted the prosecution’s request to remand Wang for an additional seven days, with his next court appearance scheduled for June 6.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Wang’s operations, conducted between 2014 and July 2022, led to billions in theft through his 911 S5 Botnet, described as the world’s largest botnet. This network reportedly infected millions of home computers globally, allowing Wang to sell access to these machines to cybercriminals.

Wang, who holds citizenship in St. Kitts and Nevis, is accused of generating approximately $99 million from his activities. He allegedly utilized these funds to acquire numerous properties across the U.S., Singapore, Thailand, China, and the UAE. Among his assets are a 2022 Ferrari F8 Spider, bank accounts in several financial institutions, and luxury watches from renowned brands.

If convicted on all counts, Wang faces a potential maximum prison sentence of 65 years in the U.S. for his role in facilitating extensive cybercrime through his botnet operations.