US Offers $10M Bounty for Accused Chinese Hacker
RFJ says Zhang Yu worked with Chinese intelligence to steal COVID-19 research and links the case to the HAFNIUM hacking campaign.
- On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, the U.S. Rewards for Justice program announced a $10 million reward for information on Chinese hacker Zhang Yu, accused of stealing COVID-19 research from U.S.-based universities beginning in 2020.
- Zhang allegedly operated at the direction of China's Ministry of State Security and the Shanghai State Security Bureau , relying on 'an extensive network of private companies and contractors in China' to obscure government involvement.
- His alleged partner, Xu Zewei, was extradited to the United States in April 2026 following his arrest by Italian law enforcement, as both men exploited Microsoft Exchange Server vulnerabilities during the HAFNIUM campaign.
- The RFJ account includes no response from Zhang, Xu, or the Chinese government, and IBTimes UK noted it cannot independently verify these allegations of research theft or intelligence direction.
- This offer sits within a broader program targeting cyber activities acting 'at the direction or under the control of a foreign government,' seeking information on anyone participating in malicious operations against U.S. critical infrastructure.
20 Articles
20 Articles
US Offers $10 Million Reward for Chinese Hacker Allegedly Linked to China's Intelligence Agencies
The U.S. State Department is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information about Chinese national Zhang Yu, who is wanted in connection with a series of cyberattacks targeting American universities, research institutions, and organizations using Microsoft Exchange Server. According to the State Department’s Rewards for Justice program, Zhang allegedly worked on behalf […]
US Offers $10M Bounty for Accused Chinese Hacker
Last Updated on October 9, 2026 by Jeff Tomas BANGKOK – The US State Department has announced a massive cash reward to track down a highly wanted Chinese hacker. Officials are currently offering up to $10 million for information that directly leads to his arrest or identification. The government claims this alleged Chinese cybercriminal aggressively […] <p>The post US Offers $10M Bounty for Accused Chinese Hacker first appeared on Chiang Rai Tim…
US Seeks Chinese Hacker Zhang Yu Under $10M Reward Programme Over Alleged Theft of COVID-19 Research
The US Rewards for Justice programme is offering up to $10m for information on Zhang Yu, who is accused of stealing COVID-19 research and conducting wider cyber intrusions.
A Chinese citizen is said to have worked for Beijing's State Security Ministry, stealing COVID-19 research results from American universities. His co-indicator was delivered from Italy in April to answer to a US court.
$10 million bounty offered for Chinese Hafnium hacker accused of Microsoft Exchange Server mega-attack
The US State Department is offering up to US $10 million for information about the whereabouts of Zhang Yu, a 44-year-old Chinese national who is accused of being a key figure in China's state-sponsored hacking group, Hafnium. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
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