Crime & Justice
US offers $15 million to bust Chinese ring supplying military tech to IRGC
A web of front companies in China facilitated the illegal transfer of US military-grade electronic components to the Islamic Republic.
![US offers up to $15 million for information on a network of Chinese nationals smuggling sensitive military technology to the IRGC. [Rewards for Justice]](/gc3/images/2025/03/26/49710-irgc_liu-baoxiajpg-370_237.webp)
By Pishtaz |
The United States is offering up to $15 million for information about four Chinese nationals who ran a nearly two-decade operation smuggling sensitive military technology to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force.
The reward, announced March 19 by the US State Department's Rewards for Justice program (RFJ), centers on Baoxia Liu (aka Emily Liu, Baoxia Lau, Emily Lau, Baojuan Liu).
Liu and her associates -- Li Yongxin (aka Emma Lee), Yung Yiu Wa (aka Stephen Yung) and Zhong Yanlai (aka Sydney Chung) -- began operating in around 2007.
They created an intricate web of front companies in China to facilitate the illegal transfer of US military-grade electronic components to the Islamic Republic, operating through multiple shell corporations.
Their scheme involved misrepresenting end-users of dual-use US technology to US companies, claiming products would remain in China while actually routing them to Iranian military entities, according to the State Department.
Components were channeled to IRGC-linked companies such as Shiraz Electronics Industries (SEI) and Rayan Roshd Afzar.
Sales fund terrorist activities
The smuggled technology enabled Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics to develop and manufacture advanced weapons systems, including drones, the State Department said.
Tehran then supplied these weapons to its allies in Russia, Sudan and Yemen.
"The IRGC has financed numerous terrorist attacks and activities globally, including via its external proxies such as Hamas, Hizbullah and Iran-backed militia groups in Iraq," the State Department said.
"The IRGC funds its terrorist activities — in part — through sales of military equipment, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones," it said.
The IRGC and its supporters have moved millions of dollars globally through this network of front companies, using them to procure cutting-edge technology while evading international sanctions and trade controls, it added.
The US Department of Justice said arrest warrants were issued in January 2024 for Liu and her three co-conspirators, all of whom remain fugitives.
The four are charged with conspiracy, unlawful export of US-origin electronic components with military applications to the Islamic Republic, and sanctions violations, it said.
Tips about their activities, whereabouts, or associated individuals and entities can be provided anonymously via the official website www.rewardsforjustice.net
They can be provided via Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp at +1-202-702-7843, or Tor (Tor browser required) at: he5dybnt7sr6cm32xt77pazmtm65flqy6irivtflruqfc5ep7eiodiad.onion
Since its inception in 1984, the RFJ program has paid over $250 million to more than 125 individuals who provided information leading to the disruption of terrorist organizations and their support networks.
Most of the merchants and importers of electronic components in Iran are responsible for purchasing electronic components for ballistic missiles and drones from China. The electronic components market and importers of this equipment in Tehran are located on Jomhuri Street and buildings and arcades. For example, , Amjad, Tavakol, Abbasian are located between Jomhuri Street from the intersection of Hafez Street to Istanbul Crossroads. It is a distribution center for various electronic components and equipment related to military and telecommunications issues. Most of the IRGC officials are busy buying these components and equipment on this street for military uses.
If the issue is so important to the relevant organizations that they have offered a $15 million reward for it, why doesn't it spend money to overthrow this system so that its evil can be eradicated from the entire world?
It may not be easy, but it is doable.
The snapback can be activated.
The high-ranking figures of the regime should be eliminated.
Missile systems and nuclear weapons stockpiles must be destroyed.
Don't doubt that the people will do the rest.
This is definitely in the process of being implemented with the arrival of President Trump.
Remove the obstacles rather than wasting your time chasing four Chinese spies.
It's good, thanks.
I haven't used it yet, what opinion can I give?
It's good.