The US has warned that North Korean IT professionals are attempting to obtain remote working employment by disguising their identities in order to steal money for Pyongyang. The US State Department, Treasury Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation issued a joint advisory statement on May 16 in response to North Korea’s latest developments. One of the first industries covered in the guidelines is cryptocurrency. The advice goes on to say that “requests for payment in cryptocurrency” are a red flag to watch out for when hiring new employees.
The advisory statement reads:
“The DPRK has dispatched thousands of highly skilled IT workers around the world, earning revenue for the DPRK that contributes to its weapons programs in violation of U.S. and UN sanctions”.
“These IT workers take advantage of existing demands for specific IT skills, such as software and mobile application development, to obtain freelance employment contracts from clients around the world, including in North America, Europe, and East Asia,” the statement added.
North Korean personnel are reportedly acquiring freelance employment in the computer industry, notably in crypto, by using virtual private networks (VPNs) and online payment systems to steal money from US tech giants. According to the report, companies that recruit North Korean personnel may face legal consequences for breaking sanctions.
They are accused of assisting North Korea in funding its nuclear programmes in contravention of UN sanctions. The agencies claim they exploit privileged access to information to orchestrate incursions in addition to making money for the North Korean leadership. In recent months, the government has undertaken many missile tests.
Read more:
- DOJ begins legal proceedings against Europeans Over North Korean Sanctions Violations
- North Korean hackers start using Blender to launder digital assets
