Top U.S. tech companies have unknowingly hired North Korean cyber operatives posing as remote IT workers, funneling millions into Pyongyang’s weapons program.
POLITICO
A growing number of top U.S. tech firms have unwittingly employed North Korean cyber operatives posing as remote IT workers, according to cybersecurity experts. The operatives, using stolen American identities and deepfake technology, are earning salaries of up to $300,000 annually, with funds allegedly routed to North Korea’s weapons program.
“This money is directly going to the weapons program,” said Adam Meyers, VP at CrowdStrike. “We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars.”
Charles Carmakal of Google Cloud’s Mandiant added, “Nearly every CISO I’ve spoken to has admitted hiring at least one North Korean IT worker, if not dozens.”
The FBI and other federal agencies are ramping up investigations. One American recently pled guilty to helping run a “laptop farm” that supported over 300 fake hires, netting $17 million.
Experts warn that despite arrests, the scheme is spreading globally, with risks to data security and corporate compliance mounting across the tech sector.