Today, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced two whistleblower awards totaling approximately $3 million issued to anonymous individuals who assisted the SEC in successful enforcement actions.

According to the SEC award order, Claimant 1 provided early assistance to the SEC and helped Enforcement staff focus their time and resources on the fraud.

Claimant 2 helped staff uncover misappropriated funds and fraudulent transfers, both of which were recognized as high law enforcement interest.

The SEC Whistleblower Program has now awarded approximately $932 million to 172 individuals since 2012.

SEC whistleblowers who provide the Commission with timely, original information of fraud can become eligible for significant financial awards. If the SEC brings forth successful enforcement actions resulting in $1 million or more in sanctions, the whistleblower is then entitled to an award ranging between 10-30% of the sanctions collected.

Set forth under the Dodd Frank Act, the SEC Whistleblower Program protects the identity of SEC whistleblowers who file claims using a Form TCR.

Both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens who witness securities frauds can become SEC whistleblowers. Whistleblowers can file as a group, or as individuals.

“Today’s whistleblowers played an instrumental role in helping the SEC bring this important action,” said Emily Pasquinelli, Acting Chief of the SEC’s Office of the Whistleblower. “The first whistleblower provided information early in the investigation and helped SEC staff develop its case and focus its resources, while the second whistleblower helped staff uncover misappropriated funds and fraudulent transfers.”

Ben Kostyack also contributed to this article.