Bitcoin consultant for North Korea detained in Moscow.

Officers from Russia’s Interpol bureau, at the request of colleagues in the United States, detained in Moscow 31-year-old Briton Christopher Emms, who helped North Korea evade sanctions using cryptocurrency. This was reported by the Telegram channel Baza.

According to law enforcement officials, Emms, in cahoots with two accomplices, advised members of the North Korean government on ways to move funds overseas using digital currencies.

The defendants also organised a blockchain conference in Pyongyang.

They are suspected of defrauding the U.S. government.

Emms was detained in the hostel where he was staying. He is currently in custody. The fate of his co-defendants has not been disclosed.

According to UN data, in 2022 North Korean hackers stole a record amount of cryptocurrency. According to South Korea’s estimates, the figure is $630 million; cybersecurity specialists put the loss at more than $1 billion.

Meanwhile, Chainalysis analysts say about $1.7 billion in cryptocurrency was obtained through cyberattacks.