US Accuses Three North Korean Officials in IT Schemes, Offers $15 Million Reward for Information

The United States government announced coordinated actions on July 24, 2025, targeting North Korean revenue generation schemes that fund the country’s weapons programs, offering substantial rewards for information leading to the arrest of key operatives involved in these illicit activities.

The Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program is offering up to $15 million total for information leading to the arrests and convictions of North Korean national Sim Hyon-sop and six co-conspirators.

The announcement represents a joint effort by the Departments of State, Justice, and Treasury to combat North Korea’s sophisticated criminal enterprises.

Criminal Enterprise Funding Weapons Programs

North Korea’s revenue generation schemes encompass a wide range of criminal activities, including cryptocurrency theft, illicit information technology work, trafficking in counterfeit goods, and oil smuggling.

These operations specifically target U.S. companies and citizens to raise funds for North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, which violate both UN and U.S. sanctions.

The criminal proceeds have direct national security implications, as many of these ballistic missiles have been transferred to Russia and used to strike Ukrainian territory, including the capital city of Kyiv.

This connection demonstrates how North Korean criminal activity directly supports ongoing conflicts and threatens international stability.

Reward Structure and Key Targets

The reward structure reflects the varying roles of the conspirators in these schemes.

Sim Hyon-Sop, identified as a central figure, carries the highest individual reward of up to $7 million.

Myong Chol-Min and Kim Se-Un each have rewards of up to $3 million, while four other co-conspirators—Kim Yong-Bok, Kim Chol-Min (alias “Jack”), Ri Tong-Min (alias “Elvis”), and Ri Won-Ho—each carry rewards of up to $500,000.

The charges against Sim Hyon-Sop and his associates center on illicit tobacco trading activities designed to gain access to U.S. dollars.

Additionally, several conspirators, including Kim Se-Un, have been involved in fraudulent IT worker schemes that have targeted hundreds of American companies.

IT Worker Fraud and American Involvement

North Korea deploys thousands of IT workers abroad, often operating from Russia and China, to conduct fraudulent remote work for U.S. companies.

These workers specifically target high-paying remote positions with American firms, including Fortune 500 corporations, remitting their earnings back to North Korea to fund prohibited weapons programs.

The Treasury Department has designated Korea Sobaeksu Trading Company and three North Korean nationals involved in these schemes.

Separately, American citizen Christina Marie Chapman was sentenced for her role in a North Korean IT worker scheme that defrauded more than 300 U.S. companies.

Individuals with information can contact the FBI at +1-480-695-1388 or visit U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.

The State Department emphasizes that all tipster identities will remain strictly confidential.

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