U.S. sanctions 11 over North Korean IT worker schemes

Crime · First reported 29 Oct, 11:32 · Updated 18:28

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned 10 individuals and one entity over schemes it says used North Korean IT workers to defraud U.S. businesses and raise funds for weapons programs. Treasury said two Russian nationals converted millions of dollars in cryptocurrency for North Korean networks.

Treasury said the sanctions target 10 individuals and one entity over North Korean IT worker schemes that defrauded U.S. businesses and generated revenue for weapons programs.
Treasury said Russian nationals Vitold Obertas and Ilya Boykov converted nearly $2 million and about $3.5 million in cryptocurrency, respectively, for North Korean networks.
The sanctions list cryptocurrency addresses and include a Russia-based entity that Treasury said deployed North Korean IT workers.

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Key facts

Sanctions: 10 individuals and one entity
Obertas crypto conversions: Nearly $2 million since January 2025, according to Treasury
Obertas other currency transactions: At least $1.25 million, according to Treasury
Boykov crypto conversions: Equivalent of $3.5 million since 2024, according to Treasury
Russia-based center: Six Russia-based North Korean IT workers generated more than $750,000 for it since 2025, according to Treasury