US targets network funneling IT earnings to North Korea
Authorities made two arrests and seized more than 180 computers to dismantle an alleged scheme to profit from US-based remote IT work.
Federal prosecutors announced the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of more than 180 computers in a bid to dismantle a North Korean scheme that allegedly siphoned over US$3 million from US-based IT companies. The operation, Operation Lonestar Roundup, targeted more than 40 suspected laptop farms across Texas, with 14 suspects based in China.
The accused used deceptive practices to lure US employers into hiring North Koreans, generating illicit revenue for Pyongyang's regime. Assistant Attorney General for National Security, John A. Eisenberg, emphasized that North Korea's IT worker schemes are used to fund weapons development that could target the United States or its allies.
This marks the latest in a series of law enforcement actions against US-based laptop farms, which have been generating illicit revenue for the North Korean government. In a related case from April, two US nationals, Zhenxing Wang and Kejia Wang, were sentenced to 92 and 108 months respectively for a multi-year scheme involving stolen identities and illicit revenue generation.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 2 other outlets
- US targets network funneling IT earnings to North Korea freemalaysiatoday.com
- US targets network funneling IT earnings to North Korea nst.com.my
