FBI sanctions listing
SIM HYON-SOP
SIM HYON-SOP is an individual designated on the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation — Wanted (FBI) sanctions list under the Counterintelligence programme, listed on 2023-03-13. Counterintelligence. This page summarises the public designation — known aliases, North Korean nationality, identifying particulars, the stated reason for listing and linked parties — alongside an independent, transparent risk indicator.
Reason for listing
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 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. The United States Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Sim Hyon-Sop.
Statement of reasons as published by US FBI. This is the issuing authority's wording, reproduced for reference.
Designation record
| List / authority | US FBI (FBI) — FBI — Counterintelligence |
|---|---|
| Entity type | Person |
| Programmes / regime | Counterintelligence |
| Date listed | 2023-03-13 |
| Source record ID | fbi:61ff886449784cde9269bbefc50864c3 |
| Last updated (our copy) | 2026-06-04 |
Identity & particulars
| Position / role | Counterintelligence |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | November 25, 1983; November 25, 1972 |
| Place of birth | Pyongyang, North Korea |
| Nationality / country | North Korean |
| Gender | Male |
Known aliases (2)
Deep-research dossier
Not yet deep-researched
The instant review above is drawn from the public lists. A deep-research dossier goes much further — an analyst-grade OSINT report: associate & co-investment network screening, structural / ownership opacity, a dated risk trajectory, an 8-factor scoring model, and numbered, source-linked evidence. See the format in the design system.
Clarifications & right of reply
Are you SIM HYON-SOP, or an authorised representative?
You — or your counsel or agent — can file a clarification and supporting documents against this record. Filings are reviewed and verified before anything is published; submissions are never posted automatically.
File a clarification or document
Source & provenance
| Issuing authority | U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation — Wanted |
|---|---|
| Source identifier | fbi:61ff886449784cde9269bbefc50864c3 |
| Aggregated by | Sanctiometer (independent) — verify against the issuing authority's official list before acting. |