The person at the center of this case
Sim Hyon-Sop (Fugitive)
Cold Case · Open
3 years waiting · since 2023
SIM HYON-SOP
Justice for Sim Hyon-Sop (Fugitive) — the trail went cold in 2023, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1What specific U.S. banks were defrauded and how did Sim maintain operational security across multiple countries for a decade?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2Which customers and trade networks did Sim facilitate transactions for, and what goods or services were being traded with North Korea?
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location
Lead #3Why does Sim have ties to China and the United Arab Emirates, and are these countries being used as financial intermediaries?
Sim Hyon-Sop, a North Korean national employed by the Foreign Trade Bank of North Korea, is wanted for a decade-long scheme to defraud U.S. banks and circumvent American sanctions. He allegedly facilitated illegal financial transactions allowing money to move in and out of North Korea despite U.S. restrictions, working with customers engaged in prohibited trade. A federal arrest warrant was issued on March 21, 2023, and he remains at large with suspected ties to North Korea, China, and 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 #4How did Sim evade detection for roughly ten years, and what triggered the investigation that led to the March 2023 warrant?
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
Warrant issued in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud, Conspiracy to Violate International Emergency Economic Powers Act, North Korean Sanctions Regulations, Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments, and Laundering Monetary Instruments.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:March 21, 2023
Last Updated:September 10, 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:September 10, 2026
Up to $5 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case