By The Data Nerd, Founder & Compliance Engineer ·
OFAC Sanctioned: Lazarus Group
SANCTIONED · Designated: 2019-03-21 · Type: DPRK state-sponsored hacking group · Jurisdiction: North Korea
Lazarus Group is a North Korean state-sponsored hacking organization designated by OFAC for conducting cyberattacks and crypto theft to fund the DPRK regime. Responsible for over $3 billion in stolen crypto.
What this designation means
All transactions with Lazarus Group wallets are prohibited. Penalties for violations reach $20 million and 30 years imprisonment.
Screen this name via API (free, no API key)
curl "https://sanctionsai.dev/sanctions?name=Lazarus+Group"Free tier: 5 checks/day by IP. Real OFAC SDN data, refreshed daily.
Compliance obligations
- Block all transactions: US persons and AI agents operating on their behalf must not transact with Lazarus Group.
- Report blocked property: Within 10 business days, file reports with OFAC for any blocked transactions.
- Recordkeeping: Retain all screening records and transaction evidence for 5 years.
- Voluntary Self-Disclosure: If a violation occurred, file a VSD within 30 days for ~50% penalty mitigation.
Penalties for non-compliance
Civil penalties start at $356,571 per violation or twice the transaction value, whichever is greater. Criminal penalties for willful violations can reach $20 million and 30 years imprisonment. Each transaction with Lazarus Group is a separate violation under OFAC strict liability.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lazarus Group still sanctioned?
Yes. Lazarus Group was designated by OFAC on 2019-03-21 and remains on the SDN list as of 2026-07-18. SDN designations are rarely lifted without a specific OFAC delisting action.
How do I check if a counterparty is sanctioned?
Use the sanctionsai.dev API: send a GET request with a name, wallet, or country parameter. The API checks against the full OFAC SDN list in under 100ms.
What is the penalty for transacting with a sanctioned entity?
OFAC civil penalties start at $356,571 per violation or twice the transaction value. Criminal penalties can reach $20 million and 30 years imprisonment.
How often should I screen counterparties?
Before every transaction. OFAC list updates are frequent, and an entity not flagged yesterday may be flagged today.