US sanctions Rwandan defence ministry, bank and North Korean IT fraud network

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28, 2026 — The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced two separate sanctions actions, adding 10 individuals and three entities to its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List, targeting Rwanda’s alleged support for armed groups in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and North Korea’s illicit revenue-generating operations.

In its DRC-related action, OFAC designated the Rwandan Ministry of Defence and Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a financial institution accused of facilitating payments for weapons, ammunition and military equipment supplied to the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). Treasury said Zigama also processed tens of millions of dollars in transactions for the March 23 Movement (M23) and its political wing, the Congo River Alliance, while facilitating the movement of gold extracted from rebel-controlled territory into Rwanda.

The measures follow the March 2 designation of the RDF and intensify US pressure on Rwanda to comply with the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, signed in December 2025. Treasury accused Rwanda’s military of supporting M23 operations involving territorial seizures, forced labour and exploitation of mineral resources in eastern DRC.

Separately, OFAC sanctioned 10 individuals and the First Financial and Technical Development Center, a North Korean-controlled organisation operating in Russia, for facilitating fraudulent information technology employment schemes that generate revenue for Pyongyang’s weapons programmes.

Treasury said North Korean operatives used stolen identities, fabricated employment credentials, cryptocurrency transfers and artificial intelligence tools to obtain work with legitimate businesses and conceal illicit financial activity. Russian intermediary Vitold Viktorovich Obertas allegedly conducted nearly $2 million in cryptocurrency conversions and at least $1.25 million in other currency transactions for North Korean officials. Another Russian national, Ilya Aleksandrovich Boykov, allegedly facilitated cryptocurrency transactions worth approximately $3.5 million.

The designated North Korean organisation reportedly generated several million dollars through overseas IT workers, including six individuals who collectively raised more than $750,000 since 2025. The action follows earlier US designations targeting similar networks in March 2026.

All designated individuals and entities are subject to US asset-blocking restrictions. Their property and interests in property within US jurisdiction must be frozen, while transactions involving them are generally prohibited for US persons. Entities owned 50% or more, directly or indirectly and in aggregate, by blocked persons are also subject to blocking restrictions.

OFAC additionally identified cryptocurrency wallet addresses associated with several North Korea-related designees and flagged secondary sanctions risks under the North Korea Sanctions Regulations.