By The Data Nerd, Founder & Compliance Engineer ·
OFAC Sanctioned: Lazarus Group
SANCTIONED · Designated: 2019-09-13 (and prior related designations) · Type: DPRK state-sponsored cyber group · Jurisdiction: North Korea
Lazarus Group is North Korea's state-sponsored cyber operations group, designated by OFAC for large-scale cryptocurrency thefts, ransomware, and sanctions evasion. Its infrastructure and associated addresses are on sanctions lists.
What this designation means
US persons are prohibited from transacting with Lazarus Group and its associated addresses. Screen wallets linked to DPRK cyber activity before any payment.
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 2019-09-13 (and prior related designations) 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.