# U.S. sanctions Russians accused of laundering millions in crypto for North Korean IT workers

https://mins.news/en/item/120703

- CoinDesk, 2026-10-29 12:18 UTC
- Economy
- Original: https://www.coindesk.com/business/2026/10/29/u-s-sanctions-russian-crypto-middlemen-tied-to-north-korean-it-worker-fraud

> The United States sanctioned Russian nationals Ilya Boykov and Vitold Obertas, who allegedly converted about $3.5 million and nearly $2 million in cryptocurrency, respectively, for North Korea.

## Related coverage

- [How crypto hacking funds North Korea’s nuclear programme](https://mins.news/en/item/122904) — The Guardian, 2026-10-30
- [US experts suspect North Korea behind US$6 billion crypto heist](https://mins.news/en/video/122481) — CNA, 2026-10-30
- [North Korea’s $600 million fake-worker network has a hidden crypto link](https://mins.news/en/item/120605) — CryptoSlate, 2026-10-29
