Israeli Firm Linked to Nvidia CEO's Alleged Chinese Spy Romance Scandal

A new investigation suggests a connection between an Israeli company and a network of fake social media accounts used to promote Nvidia's interests and defend its CEO, Jensen Huang, amid allegations of an affair with a businesswoman suspected of Chinese intelligence ties. The investigation, published by Model Republic, part of The Midas Project, revealed over 400 accounts on X, Bluesky, and Reddit active since November 2025. These accounts allegedly promoted messages supporting Nvidia's advanced chip sales to China, impersonated American citizens, and attacked critics of such exports, including former US National Security Council official Chris McGuire.

Following revelations about Huang's alleged relationship with businesswoman Alice Huang, who is reportedly suspected of Chinese intelligence connections, the fake accounts shifted their focus to defending the Nvidia CEO. Some accounts questioned the reporting on the affair, while others downplayed concerns about chip sales to China. Previous reports suggested Huang's ties may have facilitated the transfer of approximately 240,000 advanced Nvidia chips, valued at over $7.5 billion, to China, though it has not been proven that the CEO was aware of or involved in any illegal transfer.

The investigation's key finding for Israeli readers is the link between these accounts and an Israeli company previously implicated in the "Qatar-gate" scandal. Researchers found that many accounts identified in a Haaretz newspaper investigation into a pro-Qatar campaign, dubbed "Project Lighthouse," also participated in the pro-Nvidia campaign. This campaign was previously linked to advisors around Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and involved the Israeli firm Koios, which denied allegations of operating fake accounts.

Further complicating the matter, the new investigation found connections between Koios and another Israeli company, IntellACT. IntellACT's website was registered shortly before Koios was placed under receivership. Researchers identified former Koios employees holding similar positions at IntellACT, including an individual who moved from managing internet and financial intelligence at Koios to a similar role at IntellACT. IntellACT reportedly advertised for social media account managers in Argentina and Vietnam, offering $500-$800 monthly for work on behalf of an international company with US clients.

While the findings raise the possibility that the network continued its operations under a new name, the investigation does not definitively prove that IntellACT is Koios's successor or that either company operated the Nvidia-focused campaign. Nvidia denies any contract or request to hire Koios or IntellACT, stating it recently became aware of the accounts and is investigating their origin. Koios also denied involvement, asserting it ceased operations in September 2025, and its receiver stated no assets were sold or transferred to another company. IntellACT did not respond to requests for comment. The investigation highlights the sensitive nature of these developments for Koios, whose name is now linked to a global tech giant amid US-China tensions over chip exports, though the ultimate orchestrator and funder of the network remain unknown.