Frequently Asked Questions Office Home Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program Current Reward Offers Past Reward Offers Frequently Asked Questions Submit a Tip HomeGlobal Criminal Justice Rewards Program …Frequently Asked Questions hide Frequently Asked Questions The U.S. Department of State’s Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program (GCJRP) offers rewards of up to $5 million (USD) to individuals who provide information that leads to the arrest, transfer, or conviction of designated foreign nationals accused of crimes against humanity, genocide, or war crimes. Submit a Tip Overview and Operation 1. What is the Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program (GCJRP)? 2. Who operates the GCJRP? 3. What is the statutory basis for the GCJRP? 4. How do I know the GCJRP is real? 5. What rewards are being offered at the moment? 6. Where can I see photos of the people wanted? 7. How do I contact the GCJRP? 8. Can I talk to the GCJRP on the phone? Eligibility and Rewards 9. Are rewards paid for submitting information about any individual who has been accused of war crimes, genocide, or crimes against humanity? 10. Who is eligible to receive rewards? 11. What rewards has the GCJRP paid in the past? 12. Are all rewards $5 million? How much money will I get? 13. If I am related to one of the fugitives, can I receive a reward? 14. Can you promise that I will get a reward if I give you information? 15. What has to happen for me to receive a reward? 16. What happens if I am approved to receive a reward? 17. Can you give me any money in advance? 18. I think I can capture a fugitive myself. Will I be eligible for a reward? 19. If I give information to the relevant court or tribunal, or to other law enforcement personnel, and not to the GCJRP directly, can I still be eligible for an award? Confidentiality and Protection 20. Will you keep my identity confidential? 21. I have information about a fugitive, but I fear for my safety. How will you protect me? 22. Can the GCJRP relocate me to the United States or help me get a visa? Other Scenarios and Other Rewards Programs 23. Does the State Department offer any other rewards? 24. Why don’t you offer rewards for other individuals who have committed such crimes? 25. What if the fugitive dies? 26. What if my information is wrong or an effort to arrest the fugitive fails? 27. Can I work for the GCJRP or partner with you to search for the fugitives? 28. I have information on someone else who has committed war crimes, genocide, or crimes against humanity. Whom should I talk to? Overview and Operation 1. What is the Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program (GCJRP)? The GCJRP is operated by the United States Department of State and offers rewards of up to $5 million for information that leads to the arrest or conviction in any country, or the transfer to or conviction by an international tribunal (including a hybrid or mixed tribunal), of designated foreign nationals accused of war crimes, genocide, or crimes against humanity, as defined under the statute of such country or tribunal or U.S. law. (back to question 1) 2. Who operates the GCJRP? The Office of Global Criminal Justice in the U.S. State Department. (back to question 2) 3. What is the statutory basis for the GCJRP? The GCJRP is mandated by 22 U.S.C. section 2708, as amended. Its operation is also described in the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual in 2 FAM 940. In 2022, Congress amended the GCJRP statute (Public Law No: 117-273) to make clear that the program applies to foreign nationals accused of crimes against humanity, genocide, or war crimes under national laws (including U.S. law), in addition to under the statutes of international tribunals (including hybrid or mixed tribunals). (back to question 3) 4. How do I know the GCJRP is real? You can read more about the GCJRP on the Office of Global Criminal Justice’s official State Department webpage. (back to question 4) 5. What rewards are being offered at the moment? The GCJRP currently offers public rewards for information related to the following individuals: Joseph Kony — wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes committed in Uganda. Ahmad Harun — wanted by the International Criminal Court for acts committed in Darfur, Sudan between 2003 and 2004. (back to question 5) 6. Where can I see photos of the people wanted? On our X/Twitter and Facebook accounts. (back to question 6) 7. How do I contact the GCJRP? You can contact the GCJRP via text message, SMS, or WhatsApp on +1-202-975-5468 or via email at gcjrp@state.gov. You can also bring information to the nearest U.S. Embassy or any U.S. Government official. (back to question 7) 8. Can I talk to the GCJRP on the phone? We are unable to take voice calls. Please send a message via WhatsApp, text, or email. (back to question 8) Eligibility and Rewards 9. Are rewards paid for submitting information about any individual who has been accused of war crimes, genocide, or crimes against humanity? The Department of State offers rewards for information related only to specific individuals who are designated by the Secretary of State. Fugitives for whom the Department of State offers rewards are publicized on our X/Twitter and Facebook accounts. Profiles may be found here. (back to question 9) 10. Who is eligible to receive rewards? Any person, including a U.S. citizen, who provides information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country, or the transfer to or conviction by an international criminal tribunal, of a designated foreign national accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide may be eligible to receive a reward. However, U.S. and foreign government officials, including military and police, are not eligible to receive GCJRP rewards if the information is furnished while in the performance of official duties. If you are a government official, or are in the military or law enforcement, and you have information about a designated fugitive, you can still contact the Program and we can help you determine whether you would be eligible for a reward. (back to question 10) 11. What rewards has the GCJRP paid in the past? We take the anonymity of our reward recipients very seriously for their safety. All rewards that are paid remain confidential. Over the life of the GCJRP, the Program has paid more than $8 million, and informants within the program have contributed to more than 20 cases. However, we cannot share any specifics about individual cases or recipients. (back to question 11) 12. Are all rewards $5 million? How much money will I get? Rewards are up to $5 million. The amount of the reward depends on a number of factors, including: the fugitive in question; how much the information contributed to the arrest, transfer, or conviction; and whether the reward recipient broke any laws in obtaining the information shared or cooperated with law enforcement. (back to question 12) 13. If I am related to one of the fugitives, can I receive a reward? Yes, family members, or others who are known to the fugitive, can receive a reward for information that leads to the arrest, transfer, or conviction of the designated individual. (back to question 13) 14. Can you promise that I will get a reward if I give you information? Rewards must be approved by the U.S. Secretary of State, so we cannot guarantee or promise rewards. (back to question 14) 15. What has to happen for me to receive a reward? You can receive a reward if the fugitive is arrested, transferred to, or convicted by the relevant court and if your information contributed to one of those outcomes. This contribution does not have to be big! You could receive a reward for information that seems unimportant, or information that confirms something that the GCJRP already knows. If you know something, no matter how small, it is best to contact the GCJRP. (back to question 15) 16. What happens if I am approved to receive a reward? If you are approved for a reward, you will be asked to sign a document stating that you understand that you will not receive any other money or protection from the U.S. government. You will then receive the money via wire transfer. If you are unable to receive a wire transfer, the GCJRP will work with you to find an alternative solution. (back to question 16) 17. Can you give me any money in advance? No, we cannot give any money in advance. The fugitive must be arrested, transferred to a tribunal, or convicted for you to receive a reward. (back to question 17) 18. I think I can capture a fugitive myself. Will I be eligible for a reward? The GCJRP gives rewards for information only. Do not attempt to capture or arrest a fugitive yourself. Many fugitives are dangerous. If you attempt to capture a fugitive yourself, break local or international laws, fail to cooperate with local law enforcement, or put yourself or others in danger, it may affect whether you can receive a reward. (back to question 18) 19. If I give information to the relevant court or tribunal, or to other law enforcement personnel, and not to the GCJRP directly, can I still be eligible for an award? Yes. A court, tribunal, or law enforcement personnel can recommend that you receive a reward. The GCJRP takes these recommendations very seriously. (back to question 19) Confidentiality and Protection 20. Will you keep my identity confidential? Your identity and all identifying information is 100% confidential. We do not publish anything about the recipients of rewards under the GCJRP. (back to question 20) 21. I have information about a fugitive, but I fear for my safety. How will you protect me? The GCJRP cannot offer protection, but we keep your identity completely confidential and will not share it with anyone without your express permission. If you receive a reward, you can use the money to relocate or otherwise help keep you and your family safe. (back to question 21) 22. Can the GCJRP relocate me to the United States or help me get a visa? No, we cannot help you relocate or get a visa. (back to question 22) Other Scenarios and Other Rewards Programs 23. Does the State Department offer any other rewards? For other types of rewards offered by the U.S. Department of State, see the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program, the Narcotics Rewards Program, and Rewards for Justice (for rewards related to terrorism), which may be interested in your information. (back to question 23) 24. Why don’t you offer rewards for other individuals who have committed such crimes? Per U.S. law, the GCJRP can only offer rewards for designated individuals who are wanted for war crimes, genocide, or crimes against humanity. The U.S. Secretary of State designates individuals into the GCJRP. (back to question 24) 25. What if the fugitive dies? You cannot receive a reward if the fugitive is dead when the information is provided or dies before an arrest is initiated. But if the fugitive dies in custody, you may still be eligible for a reward. (back to question 25) 26. What if my information is wrong or an effort to arrest the fugitive fails? Rewards cannot be paid unless the fugitive is arrested. However, the GCJRP wants to know any information that could be relevant, even if you are not sure if it is correct. There are no negative consequences for tipsters if the information provided is wrong or an attempt fails. If you know something, no matter how small, it is best to contact the GCJRP. (back to question 26) 27. Can I work for the GCJRP or partner with you to search for the fugitives? We do not offer employment and are not seeking any assistance other than information about the designated fugitives. (back to question 27) 28. I have information on someone else who has committed war crimes, genocide, or crimes against humanity. Whom should I talk to? The GCJRP is only collecting information about the specific individuals listed above. Please only contact the GCJRP if you have information about these individuals. (back to question 28)
