Two Russians were targeted by the United States for helping North Korean IT experts exchange cryptocurrencies. The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Russians Witold Oberts and Ilya Boykov, as well as the North Korean-controlled First Financial and Technical Development Center operating in Vladivostok. According to US authorities, North Korea is sending IT experts to work for foreign companies under false or fake names, using fake documents and stolen personal data. The North Korean authorities receive part of their profits through intermediaries and direct them, among other things, to missile and nuclear programs. Oberts, according to the Treasury Department, exchanged nearly $2 million worth of cryptocurrency to North Korean representatives since January 2025 and made other currency transactions for at least another $1.25 million. Boykov, according to the department, participated in cryptocurrency transactions worth about $3.5 million. According to the United States, at least six North Korean IT specialists worked at the facility in Vladivostok. Since 2025, they have earned her more than $750,000. All six were also sanctioned.

Two Russians were targeted by the United States for helping North Korean IT experts exchange cryptocurrencies. The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Russians Witold Oberts and Ilya Boykov, as well as the North Korean-controlled First Financial and Technical Development Center operating in Vladivostok. According to US authorities, North Korea is sending IT experts to work for foreign companies under false or fake names, using fake documents and stolen personal data. The North Korean authorities receive part of their profits through intermediaries and direct them, among other things, to missile and nuclear programs. Oberts, according to the Treasury Department, exchanged nearly $2 million worth of cryptocurrency to North Korean representatives since January 2025 and made other currency transactions for at least another $1.25 million. Boykov, according to the department, participated in cryptocurrency transactions worth about $3.5 million. According to the United States, at least six North Korean IT specialists worked at the facility in Vladivostok. Since 2025, they have earned her more than $750,000. All six were also sanctioned.