**US Justice Department Announces $10 Million Bounty on Notorious Chinese Hacker Cabal**

In a significant move aimed at combating cyber threats, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced a $10 million bounty on an alleged group of hackers who have been targeting critics of the Chinese government, religious organizations, and US federal agencies. The individuals, identified as members of Anxun Information Technology Co. Ltd., China's Public and State Security Ministries (MPS), and Advanced Persistent Threat 27 (APT27), are accused of conducting malicious cyber activities on behalf of the Chinese government.

**The Targets**

According to the DOJ, the alleged hackers targeted a range of organizations, including US-based critics and dissidents of the PRC, a large religious organization in the United States, foreign ministries of multiple governments in Asia, and US federal and state government agencies. The victims include the US Treasury, which was allegedly targeted by an attack that resulted in the theft of sensitive information.

The DOJ remains tight-lipped about the specifics of the attacks, describing the affected organizations as "a large religious organization that previously sent missionaries to China and was openly critical of the PRC government" and an organization focused on promoting human rights and religious freedom in China. The agency also claims that these alleged hackers targeted multiple news organizations in the United States, including those that have opposed the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or delivered uncensored news to audiences in Asia.

**The Accused**

Twelve individuals are accused of participating in these malicious cyber activities, divided into three groups across three unsealed indictments. Eight of the defendants are employees of Anxun Information Technology Co. Ltd., while two are officers of China's MPS. The final two defendants are members of APT27, a hacking group known by names such as Bronze Union, Emissary Panda, Lucky Mouse, Iron Tiger, Silk Typhoon, and Threat Group 3390.

**The Motivation**

The DOJ alleges that the alleged hackers were motivated by financial gain, with some individuals accused of leaving systems open and vulnerable in their campaigns against organizations ranging from universities to think tanks to local governments to defense contractors. The agency also accuses the duo, Yin 'Coldface' Kecheng and Zhou 'YKCAI' Shuai, of being driven by money, with each having a $2 million bounty on their heads for information leading to their arrests and convictions.

**The Consequences**

With no accused individuals currently in custody, the State Department has announced a $10 million bounty for information leading to the identification or location of anyone targeted in the DOJ's Anxun Information Technology Co. Ltd./MPS indictment. The agency also warns that any individual who "while acting at the direction or under the control of a foreign government, participates in malicious cyber activities against U.S. critical infrastructure in violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act" will be subject to this bounty.

**The Implications**

This significant development highlights the ongoing threat posed by state-sponsored hacking groups, which have been targeting critics of the Chinese government and organizations in the United States for years. The DOJ's efforts to combat these threats demonstrate a growing commitment to protecting national security and promoting cybersecurity awareness. As the stakes continue to rise, it remains to be seen how effectively these measures will address the complex and evolving landscape of cyber threats.