US sanctions 11 over North Korean IT worker scheme

The US Treasury sanctioned 10 people and one entity for helping North Korea place IT workers at companies under false identities. It says the regime keeps most of their wages to fund its weapons programs.

Crypto converted by Ilya Boykov since 2024

3.5 US$ million

Treasury says Russian national Ilya Boykov exchanged and converted about US$3.5 million in crypto since 2024 for a North Korean IT worker company.

Treasury also sanctioned a North Korean-controlled centre in Vladivostok, Russia. Six workers there have generated more than US$750,000 for it since 2025.