Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program

Under the Global Criminal Justice Rewards Program (GCJRP), the U.S. Department of State 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.  The Department of State’s Office of Global Criminal Justice (GCJ) manages the GCJRP in close coordination with partners within the U.S. government, foreign governments, international tribunals, and non-governmental organizations.

The GCJRP has led to the arrest and capture of fugitives from the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).  The ICTY has accounted for all 161 individuals it has indicted.  Of the 90 individuals indicted by the ICTR, two fugitives remain at large.  The last ICTR fugitive to be arrested was Fulgence Kayishema in South Africa on May 25, 2023.  In 2022, Congress amended the GCJRP statute 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).

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.

The Office of Global Criminal Justice in the U.S. State Department runs the GCJRP.

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 Twitter and Facebook accounts.

The GCJRP currently offers rewards for information related to the following individuals:

Charles Sikubwabo and Ryandikayo —  wanted by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals for alleged crimes committed in Rwanda — and Joseph Kony — wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes committed in Uganda.

On our Twitter and Facebook accounts.

The GCJRP is only collecting information about the specific individuals listed above.  Please only contact the GCJRP if you have information about these individuals.

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.

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.

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.

Your identity and all identifying information is 100% confidential.  We do not publish anything about the recipients of rewards under the GCJRP.

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.

No, we cannot help you relocate or get a visa.

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.

You can contact the GCJRP via text message, SMS, or WhatsApp on +1-202-975-5468 or via email at wcrp@state.gov.  You can also bring information to the nearest U.S. Embassy or any U.S. Government official.

We are unable to take voice calls.  Please send a message via WhatsApp, text, or email.

We do not offer employment and are not seeking any assistance other than information about the designated fugitives.

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.

Yes.  A court, tribunal, or law enforcement personnel can recommend that you receive a reward.  The GCJRP takes these recommendations very seriously.

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.

No.  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.

Rewards must be approved by the U.S. Secretary of State, so we cannot guarantee or promise rewards.

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.

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.

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.  The GCJRP will not penalize you if your information is wrong or an attempt fails.  If you know something, no matter how small, it is best to contact the GCJRP.

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.

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.

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 recipient adhered to local law or cooperated with law enforcement.

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).

You can read more about the GCJRP on the Office of Global Criminal Justice’s official State Department webpage.