NAME: Sim Hyon-Sop
ALIASES: Sim Ali; Sim Hajim
DOB: 11/25/1983
POB: Pyonyang, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)
NATIONALITY: North Korean
CITIZENSHIP: North Korean
HEIGHT: 6’1”
WEIGHT: Unknown
HAIR COLOR: Black
EYE COLOR: Brown
The DPRK has been engaged in the production and trafficking of counterfeit cigarettes since 1992. Investigations have revealed counterfeit cigarette trafficking is in part conducted for the benefit of the DPRK’s WMD programs in contravention of U.S. prohibitions on such activity.
From early 2009 until spring of 2019, Sim, and co-conspirators, used multiple front companies to purchase tobacco products and other goods for DPRK customers. From there, they laundered U.S. dollar payments for these shipments. In doing so, the co-conspirators deceived correspondent banks in the United States, who would not have otherwise processed these transactions had they known about the nexus to the DPRK. It is believed that the tobacco imported by the co-conspirators and others into the DPRK was used to manufacture counterfeit cigarettes, the sales of which benefitted the DPRK regime. On March 21, 2023, based on a federal indictment, a warrant for the arrest of Sim Hyon-Sop was issued in the District of Columbia, charging him with money laundering, bank fraud, and IEEPA criminal avoidance of sanctions.
The U.S. Department of State is offering a REWARD OF UP TO $5 MILLION for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Sim Hyon-Sop.
If you have information, please contact U.S. investigators at +1-520-442-0703 (WhatsApp/ Telegram). If you are located outside of the United States, you may also visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If in the United States, you can also contact the local FBI offices in your city.
ALL IDENTITIES ARE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards.