The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced more than $40 million in awards to four whistleblowers for the whistleblowers

Provided information and assistance in three SEC enforcement actions.

In the first action, the SEC awarded approximately $37 million in awards to two joint whistleblowers who provided key evidence in an investigation

And continued assistance, and helped staff identify additional information to advance the investigation.

In the second action, the SEC awarded about $1.8 million to a whistleblower who provided material information,

Prompted the committee staff to launch an investigation into the misconduct. The whistleblower also assists the staff by providing additional documents.

In a third action, the SEC offered a reward of approximately $1.5 million to a whistleblower who provided information that led to an investigation

Made a significant contribution to the success of the operation.

Creola Kelly, director of the SEC's Office of Whistleblowers, said: "These whistleblowers provided critical information that helped the Commission's investigation, and

Helped the Commission to take successful enforcement action.

Since the first award was made in 2012, the SEC has awarded approximately $1.2 billion to 245 whistleblowers, all of which have been paid out

From the Investor Protection Fund established by Congress.