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Cryptocurrency exchanges, financial institutions, and computer systems worldwide

The person at the center of this case

Cryptocurrency exchanges, financial institutions, and computer systems worldwide

Case
#1082
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
United States District Court, Central District of California; Federal Bureau of Investigation
Cold Case · Open
5 years waiting · since 2020

JON CHANG HYOK

Justice for Cryptocurrency exchanges, financial institutions, and computer systems worldwide — the trail went cold in 2020, but the truth hasn't.

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Key leads to think about

🎯
suspect
Lead #1

What is Jon Chang Hyok's current location and operational status within North Korean government structures?

🔍
evidence
Lead #2

What specific malicious cryptocurrency applications did Hyok develop and how were they distributed to targets?

👤
person
Lead #3

Who are the other members of the Lazarus Group and APT38 conspiracy that worked alongside Hyok?

Jon Chang Hyok is a North Korean state-sponsored hacker allegedly involved in some of the costliest computer intrusions in history as part of the Lazarus Group and APT38 conspiracy. He is accused of developing and distributing malicious cryptocurrency applications that targeted exchanges and financial institutions, stealing currency and virtual currency from numerous victims. Despite a federal arrest warrant issued in December 2020, Hyok remains at large in North Korea, making his apprehension and prosecution dependent on international cooperation and intelligence operations.

Case
#1082
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
United States District Court, Central District of California; Federal Bureau of Investigation

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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.

💡
clue
Lead #4

What financial institutions and cryptocurrency exchanges were primary targets, and what was the total value stolen?

📞
contact
Lead #5

Has Hyok traveled outside North Korea since 2020, and what intelligence exists on his movements or communications?

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 Commit Wire Fraud and Bank Fraud; Conspiracy to Commit Computer-Related Fraud (Computer Intrusion) Caution: Jon Chang Hyok is allegedly a state-sponsored North Korean hacker who is part of an alleged criminal conspiracy responsible for some of the costliest computer intrusions in history. These intrusions caused damage to computer systems of, and stole currency and virtual currency from, numerous victims.

Jon was alleged to be a participant in a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy undertaken by a group of hackers of the North Korean government’s Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB). The conspiracy comprised North Korean hacking groups that some private cybersecurity researchers have labeled the “Lazarus Group” and Advanced Persistent Threat 38 (APT38).

For his part in the conspiracy, Jon is alleged to have been directly involved in the development and dissemination of malicious cryptocurrency applications targeting numerous cryptocurrency exchanges and other companies. On December 8, 2020, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Jon in the United States District Court, Central District of California, after he was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit computer fraud (computer intrusions).

Remarks: Jon is a North Korean citizen last known to be in North Korea. Jon has traveled to China in the past and has reported a date of birth in 1989.

Timeline of Events

🕵️
2020-12-08

Federal Arrest Warrant Issued

A federal arrest warrant was issued for Jon Chang Hyok in the United States District Court, Central District of California, charging him with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and conspiracy to commit computer fraud.

Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case

Case Information

Incident:December 8, 2020
Last Updated:September 11, 2026

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Case Information

Incident:December 8, 2020
Last Updated:September 11, 2026