To qualify for an award, a whistleblower must voluntarily provide the government with credible, timely, and original information which contributes to the success of an enforcement action. The amount a whistleblower receives is based on the sanctions collected in the action.
Secondly, the information provided must be new information. If two people provide the government or regulatory agency with the same exact information, the person who made their disclosure first would qualify for a reward, as this is considered “original” information.
Both U.S. and foreign citizens are eligible for rewards if the violation in which the whistleblower is reporting involves U.S. government contracts, securities, commodities, tax evasion or currency, such as in cases of money laundering or foreign bribery.
