The U.S. Department of State escalated its fight against global cybercrime Wednesday, announcing rewards of up to $2 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of two Chinese nationals, Yin KeCheng and Zhou Shuai.
The duo, identified as key figures in the notorious APT27 hacking group, face charges for a decade-long spree of cyberattacks targeting U.S. entities, part of a broader “whole of government” crackdown that includes Treasury sanctions and FBI indictments.
READ: Chinese Hackers Infiltrate US Treasury, Yellen’s Computers In Another Biden-Era Cyber Breach
The State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs issued the bounties under its Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program (TOCRP), spotlighting Yin and Zhou’s roles in a sophisticated cyber ecosystem allegedly backed by China.
Known to security researchers by aliases like “Threat Group 3390,” “Emissary Panda,” and “Silk Typhoon,” APT27 has been a persistent thorn in the side of U.S. cybersecurity since at least 2014. “Yin and Zhou are longtime members of the ecosystem China uses to perpetuate its malicious cyber activity,” the State Department said, accusing them of acting as “hackers for hire” for various Chinese entities, enriching themselves through stolen data and network breaches.
The FBI, which has tracked APT27 for over a decade, unsealed two indictments Wednesday. Yin faces solo charges for cybercrimes from 2013 to 2015, while he and Zhou are jointly accused in a conspiracy spanning 2018 to 2020.
READ: Chinese Hackers Target Top U.S. Political Figures In “Worst Telecom Hack” In History
The charges—wire fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft, and violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act—paint a picture of relentless digital plunder, from infiltrating networks to laundering profits. The Justice Department alleges their targets included U.S. tech firms, defense contractors, and government bodies, costing millions in damages.
“This is about holding cybercriminals accountable, no matter where they hide,” said a State Department spokesperson. The rewards, authorized by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aim to disrupt transnational crime networks worldwide. They coincide with Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioning Zhou and his Shanghai-based firm, Shanghai Heiying Information Technology, signaling a coordinated U.S. effort to choke off the hackers’ financial lifelines.
Authorities urge anyone with tips to email yin_zhou_info@fbi.gov, or contact a U.S. embassy, consulate, or local FBI field office.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
