Thousands Of North Korean IT Workers Obtain US Remote Jobs Using Fake IDs, FBI Reveals

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) have revealed thousands of North Korean information technology (IT) workers have covertly funneled millions of dollars from their earnings at U.S. companies to North Korea’s ballistic missile program.

According to a Business Insider report, these IT workers were dispatched by North Korea to work remotely with U.S. companies, primarily in St. Louis and across the U.S., using false identities. The wages earned were subsequently directed towards North Korea’s weapons program.

Federal authorities have seized $1.5 million and 17 domain names as part of this ongoing investigation. 

“We can tell you that there are thousands of North Korean IT workers that are part of this,” FBI spokeswoman Rebecca Wu stated.

See Also: Trump’s Niece Says Only Jim Jordan’s Speakership Bid Lasted Less Time Than ‘Donald’s Self-Restraint’ After Ex-President Lambasts Civil Trial Judge

Furthermore, Jay Greenberg, special agent in charge of the St. Louis FBI office, advised companies to be extra cautious when hiring freelance IT workers, advocating for additional steps to verify the identities of potential hires.

The North Korean IT workers primarily resided in China and Russia and were able to deceive U.S. businesses into hiring them as remote employees. The workers were also accused of infiltrating computer networks, stealing company information, and maintaining access for future hacking and extortion schemes.

U.S. authorities have been aware of these attempts by North Koreans to secure employment under false pretenses. In May 2022, an advisory was issued warning of North Koreans posing as non-North Korean nationals seeking employment.

Read Next: Elon Musk Says It’s ‘Kinda True’ That ChatGPT Creator Sam Altman Stole The Internet And Is Selling It Back To You

Image Via Shutterstock