For years, North Korea has sent thousands of IT specialists abroad, forcing them to work remotely in Western companies under cover. This was reported by the BBC.
One North Korean IT specialist worked remotely for companies in the US and Europe using hundreds of fake identities. These workers usually operate in groups of 10 and earn up to $5,000 a month. However, 85% of their earnings are sent directly to Pyongyang to fund the regime.
To hide their identity, the IT specialists initially posed as Chinese, then obtained documents from citizens of countries like Hungary or Turkey, and later applied for US jobs through European citizens.
According to a report published by the UN Security Council in March 2024, this scheme brings North Korea between $250 million and $600 million annually. The expansion of remote work during the pandemic helped the system to grow.
These operations are separate from traditional cyberattacks — such as the $1.5 billion cryptocurrency theft carried out by the Lazarus Group.
Employers face difficulties detecting fake candidates. US and European companies are reporting hundreds of suspicious applications. In some cases, applicants have used AI face-altering technologies during video interviews.
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