The U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice program has announced a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the disruption of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its financial mechanisms.
The IRGC, designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), finances numerous terrorist attacks and activities globally through sales of military equipment, including drones. The U.S. government alleges that Chinese nationals have supported IRGC armaments production and sales by delivering dual-use technology to Iran.
Liu Baoxia, Li Yongxin, Yung Yiu Wa, and Zhong Yanlai are among those named as allegedly supporting IRGC armaments production and sales through illegal procurement and delivery of U.S.-export controlled technology. According to the allegations, these individuals used front companies in China to send dual-use electronic components to IRGC-linked companies that could be used in the production of UAVs, ballistic missile systems, and other military end uses.
The IRGC and its supporters generate millions of dollars by establishing and relying on front companies to procure cutting-edge technology to evade sanctions and trade controls. U.S. companies have exported goods to these front companies under false pretenses, resulting in the export of dual-use products with military capabilities to IRGC-linked companies.
In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Liu, Li, Yung, and Chung with various federal crimes related to their involvement in a conspiracy to unlawfully export and smuggle thousands of U.S.-origin electronic components from the United States to Iran.
Anyone with information on these individuals or associated entities should contact Rewards for Justice via a Tor-based tips-reporting channel. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
Since its inception in 1984, the Rewards for Justice program has paid over $250 million to more than 125 people who provided actionable information that helped bring terrorists to justice or prevented acts of international terrorism worldwide.