Photo: Shutterstock The U.S. Department of State is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or capture of Zhang Yu, whom U.S. authorities accuse of working on behalf of China’s Ministry of State Security to steal COVID-19 research from American universities and scientists.
The FBI Cyber Division shared the reward announcement on social media. According to the Rewards for Justice program, Zhang is accused of working with the Shanghai State Security Bureau, a Chinese government intelligence service, and participating in multiple hacking campaigns targeting U.S. victims.
Authorities allege that Zhang and his associates sought unauthorized access to COVID-19 research and other data as part of cyber espionage operations.
The announcement comes after Zhang’s alleged co-conspirator, Xu Zewei, was arrested and extradited to the United States earlier this year.
The State Department is asking anyone with information about Zhang, his associates or their alleged malicious cyber activities to submit a tip through the Rewards for Justice program’s Tor-based reporting system.
The department said individuals providing information may be eligible for a reward of up to $10 million, as well as possible relocation assistance.
U.S. authorities did not provide additional details about Zhang’s current whereabouts in the announcement.