The U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice program is offering a reward of up to $15 million for information that could disrupt the financial mechanisms of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its branches, including the IRGC-Qods Force. Both entities are designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The IRGC has been involved in financing terrorist activities globally through external proxies such as Hamas, Hizballah, and militia groups in Iraq. Part of this funding comes from sales of military equipment like drones.
Four Chinese nationals have allegedly supported the IRGC by illegally procuring and delivering U.S. export-controlled dual-use technology to Iran. These individuals are Liu Baoxia, also known as Emily Liu; Li Yongxin, also known as Emma Lee; Yung Yiu Wa, also known as Stephen Yung; and Zhong Yanlai, also known as Sydney Chung.
Since May 2007, these individuals allegedly used front companies in China to send U.S.-origin electronic components to IRGC-linked companies. These components could be used for producing UAVs and ballistic missile systems. They allegedly misrepresented the end users of these components, causing U.S. companies to export goods under false pretenses that they were destined for China instead of Iran.
As a result, significant quantities of dual-use products with military capabilities were exported from the United States to companies linked with the IRGC in violation of U.S. sanctions and export control laws.
In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice charged Liu, Li, Yung, and Chung with federal crimes related to exporting thousands of U.S.-origin electronic components with military applications from the United States to Iran unlawfully.
Anyone with information on these individuals or their activities is encouraged to contact Rewards for Justice through a Tor-based tips-reporting channel. All information will remain confidential.
The Rewards for Justice program has paid over $250 million since its inception in 1984 to more than 125 people who provided actionable information leading to justice against terrorists or prevention of international terrorism acts.
