The person at the center of this case
United States financial system / U.S. banks
Cold Case · Open
3 years waiting · since 2023
SIM HYON-SOP
Justice for United States financial system / U.S. banks — the trail went cold in 2023, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1How did Sim Hyon-Sop maintain banking relationships and facilitate transactions for over a decade despite U.S. sanctions?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific U.S. banks were defrauded and what documentation exists of the fraudulent transactions?
📍
location
Lead #3Is Sim currently hiding in North Korea, China, or the UAE, and what intelligence exists about his whereabouts?
Sim Hyon-Sop, a North Korean national employed by the Foreign Trade Bank of North Korea, is wanted for allegedly orchestrating a decade-long scheme to defraud U.S. banks and circumvent American sanctions. Working with customers engaged in trade with North Korea, he allegedly facilitated the movement of U.S. dollars in and out of North Korea despite strict economic restrictions. A federal arrest warrant was issued on March 21, 2023, in Washington, D.C., and authorities believe he may be hiding in North Korea, China, or the United Arab Emirates.
Case
#886
United States District Court for the District of Columbia; 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 #4Who were the customers and intermediaries that worked with Sim to facilitate North Korean trade?
📞
contact
Lead #5What banking channels and correspondent accounts were used to move U.S. dollars in violation of sanctions?
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 Bank Fraud; Conspiracy to Violate and Violations of International Emergency Economic Powers Act; North Korean Sanctions Regulations; Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments; Laundering Monetary Instruments Caution: Sim Hyon-Sop is a North Korean national who works for the Foreign Trade Bank (FTB) of North Korea, which has been sanctioned by the United States. It is alleged that Sim helped transact with customers that traded with North Korea and ensured money could move in and out of North Korea without interruption, despite U.S.
sanctions. For roughly a decade, Sim allegedly played a pivotal role in defrauding U.S.
banks by remitting U.S. dollar payments to facilitate trade on behalf of North Korea.
On March 21, 2023, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Sim Hyon-Sop in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., after he was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, Conspiracy to Violate and Violations of International Emergency Economic Powers Act, North Korean Sanctions Regulations, Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, and Laundering Monetary Instruments. Remarks: Sim Hyon-Sop has ties to or may visit North Korea, China, and the United Arab Emirates.
Timeline of Events
🕵️
2023-03-21
Federal arrest warrant issued
Arrest warrant issued for Sim Hyon-Sop in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, violations of International Emergency Economic Powers Act, North Korean sanctions regulations, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, and laundering monetary instruments.
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:March 21, 2023
Last Updated:October 29, 2026
Up to $5 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:March 21, 2023
Last Updated:October 29, 2026
Up to $5 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case