The United States has offered a US $3-million reward for any information that would lead to the arrest of a Russian hacker, who is considered as the biggest threat to America's banking system.

The bounty is said to be America's highest reward ever offered in a cybercrime case.

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"This reward offer reaffirms the commitment of the US government to bring those who participate in organized crime to justice, whether they hide online or overseas," the US State Department said.

Evgeniy Bogachev, FBI's most wanted criminal, has been charged with conspiracy, bank and computer fraud, and money laundering for allegedly stealing more than US$100 million in a major cybercrime operation. 

The State Department said Bogachev tricked victims to download malware, a malicious software known as "Zeus", to steal sensitive information like bank account numbers, passwords and personal identification numbers.

The network "GameOver Zeus", which began in September 2011, is known to have infected one million computers and stole more than US$100 million from online bank accounts.

Bogachev, also known as the "lucky12345" and "slavik", was last seen in Russia, where he is believed to be at large.  But the U.S. may find it hard to arrest Bogachev, as there is no extradition treaty between the two countries.

But the FBI said Russia had expressed interest in working with the U.S. to combat cybercrime operations.  However, Russia did not say if efforts would include the arrest of Bogachev.

The FBI added Russia's internal security agency is also fully aware of the existence of some 60 cyber-threat groups, but gave no further details.

Bogachev also faces charges in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for running the network "GameOver Zeus."

He is also charged Nebraska for his alleged links to an earlier variant of Zeus malware known as "Jabber Zeus."

Tagscybercrime, US, Russia, Evgeniy Bogachev