The person at the center of this case
United States financial system and sanctioned trade regulations
Cold Case · Open
3 years waiting · since 2023
SIM HYON-SOP
Justice for United States financial system and sanctioned trade regulations — the trail went cold in 2023, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1How did Sim Hyon-Sop maintain access to U.S. banking systems for over a decade without detection?
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evidence
Lead #2What specific U.S. banks were defrauded and what financial institutions in China and UAE were used as intermediaries?
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location
Lead #3Where is Sim Hyon-Sop currently located and which country is he most likely hiding in?
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 against North Korea. He is accused of facilitating illicit financial transactions that allowed money to flow in and out of North Korea despite strict U.S. economic restrictions. His whereabouts remain unknown, though he is believed to have ties to North Korea, China, and the United Arab Emirates, making his apprehension critical to disrupting ongoing sanctions evasion networks.
Case
#886
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); United States District Court for the District of Columbia
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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 #4What other Foreign Trade Bank officials or international accomplices were involved in this sanctions evasion scheme?
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
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2023-03-21
Federal arrest warrant issued
Arrest warrant issued in 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:April 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:April 29, 2026
Up to $5 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case