To be considered a whistleblower under the federal False Claims Act, a person or a group must have original and personal knowledge of the fraudulent activity.  This is an interesting article about a person who did not meet this requirement. Judge Denies Groups Whistleblower Standing in Suit against US Bank.  New York Times, May 14, 2015.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/14/business/dealbook/judge-denies-groups-whistle-blower-standing-in-suit-against-us-bank.html?_r=0o