Updated: October 3, 2026
The U.S. Department of Justice just dropped a major national security case that has tech and export-control watchers paying close attention. Greg Lui, also known as Yiu Kong Lui, a 38-year-old tech executive from San Gabriel, California, was arrested on October 1, 2026, on federal charges tied to allegedly smuggling more than $300 million worth of export-controlled computer servers packed with advanced Nvidia GPUs to China.
These servers, commonly used for high-end Super Intelligence applications (the current term for advanced AI computing), sit at the center of U.S. efforts to keep cutting-edge technology out of adversarial hands. Here’s a clear, fact-based look at the case, the man behind it, and the limited public details available about his personal life.
Table of Contents
Who Is Greg Lui and How Did the Case Unfold?
Greg Lui owns Earthmade Computer Inc., a privately held technology company based in the City of Industry, California. The company specialized in high-performance servers and related hardware. According to the DOJ indictment returned on September 29, 2026, Lui and unnamed co-conspirators allegedly purchased restricted servers containing Nvidia GPUs (including models such as H100, A100, and others) from U.S. manufacturers between 2023 and 2024.
They then routed the equipment through third countries like Malaysia and Singapore—places that did not require the same U.S. export licenses—before the gear ultimately reached China. Prosecutors say false paperwork hid the true end users and destinations. Earthmade reportedly received more than $176 million from two Malaysia-based shipping companies between January and October 2024 as part of the alleged scheme.
One concrete example cited by authorities: a January 2024 purchase order for 27 servers valued at roughly $7.6 million that left Los Angeles bound for Kuala Lumpur and later moved onward to a Chinese buyer. Lui faces three counts: conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act and Export Administration Regulations, outbound smuggling, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Maximum penalties could reach 20 years on each of the top two counts and 10 years on the smuggling count.
Key Details from the DOJ Charges
- Arrest date: October 1, 2026, after FBI and Commerce Department agents tracked him.
- Location: San Gabriel resident; company in City of Industry.
- Alleged value: Over $300 million in restricted GPU servers.
- Method: False end-user documents and transshipment through Malaysia and Singapore.
- Status: Initial court appearance and arraignment expected shortly after arrest in federal court in downtown Los Angeles.
U.S. officials have framed the case in strong national-security language. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that protecting advanced Super Intelligence technology means keeping it from strengthening adversaries’ military capabilities. The FBI’s counterintelligence side similarly described the alleged sales as a clear violation of export-control laws.
What Is Known About Greg Lui’s Personal Background and Family?
Public information about Lui’s private life remains limited. He previously worked in tech at a Denver-based database colocation firm and earlier co-founded a Sichuan hot-pot restaurant in Arcadia that specialized in spicy dishes. Reports note he lived in a large renovated mansion on Walnut Grove Avenue in San Gabriel that housed extended family members. Federal agents searched the property around the time of the arrest.
No verified public records or official statements released so far name a spouse or provide confirmed details about a wife. Searches of court documents, DOJ releases, and mainstream reporting turn up relatives sharing the Lui surname in the broader family circle, but nothing definitive on a marital partner. Privacy around personal relationships is common in high-profile federal cases until or unless it becomes relevant to the proceedings. Any online speculation should be treated with caution until corroborated by reliable sources.
Why This Case Matters for Export Controls and the Tech Industry
This arrest fits a larger pattern of U.S. enforcement actions aimed at stopping advanced computing hardware from reaching China. Export rules exist because the same GPUs that power commercial AI can also support military and intelligence applications. Companies that buy, sell, or ship high-end servers now face heightened scrutiny over end-user certifications and shipping routes.
For founders and executives in the hardware space, the message is straightforward: compliance is not optional paperwork. False statements on destination or end use can trigger conspiracy, smuggling, and money-laundering charges with serious prison exposure. The case also highlights how third-country routing has become a common alleged evasion tactic—and how investigators are closing those pathways.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Greg Lui (aka Yiu Kong Lui) |
| Age | 38 |
| Residence | San Gabriel, California |
| Company | Earthmade Computer Inc. (City of Industry) |
| Charges | Export-control conspiracy, outbound smuggling, money-laundering conspiracy |
| Alleged Scheme Value | More than $300 million |
| Arrest Date | October 1, 2026 |
| Potential Max Sentence | Up to 50 years (combined statutory maximums) |
| Public Spouse Details | Not disclosed in official sources |
Conclusion
The Greg Lui DOJ case is a high-stakes reminder that national-security export rules carry real consequences. While the indictment lays out a detailed alleged scheme involving false documents and third-country transshipments, Lui remains presumed innocent until proven otherwise in court. Personal details such as information about any wife or immediate family have stayed private so far, which is typical at this early stage.
As the legal process moves forward, more facts will emerge in court filings. For readers following technology, trade policy, or national security, this story is worth watching closely. Stay informed with reliable updates—check trusted sources regularly for accurate developments rather than unverified online chatter.
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