Rewards for Justice is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the disruption of the financial mechanisms of Hizballah. Hizballah relies on financing and facilitation networks to sustain operations and launch attacks globally. Hizballah earns almost one billion dollars annually through direct financial support from Iran, international businesses and investments, donor networks, corruption, and money laundering activities.
Hizballah uses funds to support its malign activities throughout the world, including: deployment of its militia members to Syria in support of the Assad dictatorship;alleged operations to conduct surveillance and gather intelligence in the United States;and enhanced military capabilities to the point that Hizballah claims to possess precision-guided missiles. These terrorist operations are funded through Hizballah’s international network of financial supporters and activities — financial enablers and infrastructure that form the group’s lifeblood. Hizballah receives a significant amount of weapons, training, and funding from Iran, a U.S. Department of State-designated State Sponsor of Terrorism.
On October 8, 1997, the Department of State designated Hizballah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. Later, on October 31, 2001, the Department of State designated Hizballah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended. As a result, all of Hizballah’s property, and interests in property, subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with Hizballah. It is a crime to knowingly provide, or to attempt or conspire to provide, material support or resources to Hizballah.
The Department of State is offering rewards for information leading to the identification and disruption of:
- Significant sources of revenue for the organization or its key financial facilitation mechanisms;
- Major Hizballah donors and financial facilitators;
- Financial institutions and exchange houses knowingly facilitating significant Hizballah transactions;
- Businesses and investments owned or controlled by Hizballah;
- Front companies engaged in international procurement of dual-use technology;and
- Criminal schemes involving Hizballah members and supporters, who are financially benefitting the organization.