US prosecutors have charged 12 Chinese nationals for being part of an alleged hacking scheme, which sold data of US-based dissidents to the Chinese government. The "state-sponsored" operation also targeted government agencies including the Treasury, according to the Justice Department (DOJ).

The suspects were charged as part of what U.S. officials called a “hackers for hire” system whose primary customer was the Chinese government.

The suspects include two officers of China’s Ministry of Public Security. The State Department is offering a $10 million reward for information.