Four North Korean citizens have been charged by the U.S. Department of Justice for stealing nearly $1 million in cryptocurrency from American and international companies.
Charges Against North Koreans
According to the indictment released on June 30, the suspects allegedly posed as remote IT workers, gained access to sensitive systems, and drained crypto wallets. The defendants are Kim Kwang Jin, Kang Tae Bok, Jong Pong Ju, and Chang Nam Il.
Tactics of Using Fake Identities
The suspects allegedly used fake identities and stolen personal information to land jobs at a blockchain R&D firm based in Atlanta and a Serbian virtual token company. Once hired, two of the defendants, Kim and Jong, were given access to virtual asset systems. Prosecutors explained that Jong first stole about $175,000 in February 2022, and a month later, Kim modified their employer’s smart contract source code to take an additional $740,000.
Increase in North Korean Hackers' Activity in the Crypto Industry
U.S. officials say the scheme is part of a broader pattern, with North Korean hackers increasingly using cyber tactics to evade sanctions and steal from unsuspecting companies. Crypto security experts also recently raised concerns about this trend, warning that DPRK-linked developers are increasingly showing up in the crypto job market, using fake resumes to gain internal access and quietly drain funds.
The charges against the North Korean nationals are part of ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and protect the crypto industry from threats posed by state actors.
