The person at the center of this case
United States (sanctions violation)
Cold Case · Open
4 years waiting · since 2022
ALEJANDRO CAO DE BENOS
Justice for United States (sanctions violation) — the trail went cold in 2022, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Why did Cao de Benós remain in Spain rather than attempt to flee to North Korea or another non-extradition country?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific cryptocurrency and blockchain technology was provided or planned to be provided to the DPRK?
👤
person
Lead #3What was the full extent of co-conspirator Christopher Douglas Emms' involvement and current status?
Alejandro Cao de Benós, founder of the Korean Friendship Association, is wanted for allegedly conspiring to violate U.S. sanctions on North Korea by organizing cryptocurrency conferences and recruiting an American expert to provide blockchain services to the DPRK. The conspiracy began in early 2018 and involved arranging the expert's travel to Pyongyang in April 2019, with plans for a second conference in 2020. A federal arrest warrant was issued on January 27, 2022, and Cao de Benós remains at large, believed to be living in Spain.
Case
#539
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
📞
contact
Lead #4How did Cao de Benós coordinate approval from the DPRK government and what officials were involved in authorizing the conferences?
💡
clue
Lead #5What steps did Cao de Benós take to conceal the conspiracy from U.S. authorities?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) Caution: Alejandro Cao de Benós is wanted for allegedly conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Specifically, conspiring to violate United States sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (“DPRK” or “North Korea”) by working with an American citizen to illegally provide cryptocurrency and blockchain technology services to the DPRK.
Beginning in or about early 2018, Cao de Benós, the founder of the “Korean Friendship Association,” a pro-DPRK affinity organization, organized the “Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference” for the benefit of the DPRK. Cao de Benós allegedly recruited an American cryptocurrency expert to provide services to the DPRK at the Conference and arranged his travel to the DPRK in April of 2019 for this purpose, in violation of United States sanctions.
Cao de Benós allegedly coordinated approval from the DPRK government for the expert's participation in the Conference and continued to conspire afterwards to include holding a second cryptocurrency conference in the DPRK in 2020. Cao de Benós allegedly took steps in an effort to conceal these activities, and the expert's role in the conspiracy, from United States authorities.
The expert was arrested by United States authorities in November of 2019, disrupting the scheme and the second conference planned for 2020. At no time did Cao de Benós, or co-conspirator Christopher Douglas Emms , obtain permission from the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), to provide goods, services, or technology to the DPRK, as is required by law.
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Cao de Benós in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, New York, New York, on January 27, 2022, after he was charged with Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Remarks: Alejandro Cao de Benós is known to live in Spain.
Timeline of Events
🕵️
2018
Conspiracy begins
Alejandro Cao de Benós begins organizing cryptocurrency conference for DPRK benefit
📞
2019-04
American expert travels to DPRK
Recruited American cryptocurrency expert travels to Pyongyang Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference
📋
2019-11
American expert arrested
U.S. authorities arrest the American cryptocurrency expert, disrupting the scheme
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2022-01-27
Federal arrest warrant issued
Warrant issued in U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York for conspiracy to violate IEEPA
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2018
Last Updated:September 10, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2018
Last Updated:September 10, 2026