iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The U.S. State Department is offering up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of Amir Yaryab, whom its Rewards for Justice program describes as a senior Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cyber-Electronic Command (IRGC-CEC) official. The offer is a reward for information, not a reported payout or a finding of guilt.
What the $10 million reward covers
The State Department’s Rewards for Justice notice offers up to $10 million for information leading to the identification or location of a person who, acting at the direction or under the control of a foreign government, participates in malicious cyber activity against U.S. critical infrastructure in violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). The notice names Yaryab as the subject of the offer.
“Up to” is the key qualification: $10 million is the maximum advertised amount, not evidence that the government has paid that sum. The notice does not establish a specific payment under this offer.
Who is Amir Yaryab, according to the notice?
Rewards for Justice describes Yaryab as a senior IRGC-CEC official who leads its Cyber Operations Command. It says he directs the Shahid Hemmat and Shahid Shushtari components and oversees operations by IRGC-CEC-affiliated groups CyberAv3ngers, Dadeh Afzar Arman (DAA), and Mehrsam Andisheh Saz Nik (MASN). These are U.S. government attributions in a reward notice, not findings established by a conviction.
#1 Best Overall
What activity and targets does the State Department allege?
The notice attributes malicious cyber activity to groups it associates with Yaryab, saying they used malware to target civilian infrastructure worldwide. It identifies affected sectors in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East, including:
- Defense and news
- Shipping and travel, including hotels and airlines
- Energy
- Financial and telecommunications systems
The notice describes alleged activity and the basis for seeking information; it does not by itself establish criminal guilt. Claims about Yaryab and the groups should therefore be read as the State Department’s allegations.
How the reward notice differs from DOJ indictments
The reward notice is separate from the DOJ cases sometimes mentioned alongside cyberattacks on U.S. government entities and defense contractors. An indictment is a formal accusation, not a verdict, and the cases below do not establish a connection to Yaryab.
| Record | What it says | How it relates to Yaryab |
|---|---|---|
| DOJ announcement, April 23, 2024 | Four Iranian nationals were charged over a separate alleged cyber campaign against U.S. government and private entities, including the Treasury and State departments and defense contractors. DOJ said the alleged conduct included spear-phishing and social engineering. | The announcement concerns a different alleged campaign and different defendants; the cited record does not establish a link to Yaryab. |
| DOJ announcement, August 18, 2026 | Seventeen Mabna Institute members were charged in a separate alleged campaign targeting universities, companies, government agencies, and NGOs. DOJ alleged theft of more than 31 terabytes of academic data and intellectual property. | This is distinct case context, not proof about Yaryab or the activity described in the reward notice. |
DOJ cautions that an indictment is an allegation and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The same care applies to distinguishing allegations in the reward notice from adjudicated findings.
Rank #3
How to submit relevant information
Anyone with relevant information can check the official Rewards for Justice notice for current submission options. The program says it accepts tips through multiple platforms and in numerous languages, and its notice describes sending concise information and supporting files, including through a Tor-based tip channel. Use the live page rather than relying on an old or copied contact method.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
