Key facts
- U.S. sanctions 10 individuals and one entity over North Korean IT worker fraud schemes.
- The sanctions target networks facilitating North Korean IT workers' employment using stolen identities and fraudulent documents.
- Two Russian nationals and eight North Koreans were sanctioned.
- The First Financial and Technical Development Center, a North Korean entity in Russia, was also designated.
- The Treasury Department stated these operations generate revenue for North Korea's weapons programs.
The United States imposed sanctions on 10 individuals and one entity on Wednesday, accusing them of facilitating North Korea's illicit overseas information technology (IT) worker operations. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control stated that these networks help North Korean IT workers obtain employment at legitimate businesses, including American companies, by using stolen identities and fraudulent documents. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said these activities generate revenue for North Korea's weapons programs. The sanctioned individuals include two Russian nationals involved in cryptocurrency transactions and eight North Koreans. The First Financial and Technical Development Center, a North Korean entity operating in Russia, was also designated for generating millions of dollars for Pyongyang.