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Five individuals have admitted to aiding North Koreans in infiltrating U.S. companies by acting as remote IT workers, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. These individuals were accused of providing real or stolen identities, hosting company laptops in their homes, and helping North Koreans pass background checks. The scheme affected over 136 companies and generated over $2.2 million for North Korea’s regime. This case is part of a broader effort by U.S. authorities to counter North Korea’s cybercrime activities, which have targeted Western companies and crypto platforms. The guilty pleas highlight the U.S. government’s commitment to stopping North Korea from using American resources to fund its nuclear weapons program.

Key facts

• Five individuals have pleaded guilty to helping North Koreans infiltrate U.S. companies as remote IT workers.
• The scheme involved providing real or stolen identities, hosting company laptops in their homes, and helping North Koreans pass background checks.
• The scheme affected over 136 U.S. companies and generated more than $2.2 million for North Korea’s regime.
• This case is part of a long-term U.S. effort to disrupt North Korea’s cybercrime operations and fund its nuclear weapons program.
• The DOJ also froze and seized over $15 million in cryptocurrency stolen by North Korean hackers in 2023.