US authorities announce measures against a network suspected of funding North Korea
Amman2 min read
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Federal prosecutors announced on Tuesday the arrest of two people and the seizure of more than 180 computers as part of an operation to dismantle an alleged North Korean scheme aimed at generating profits through remote work in the information technology sector.
The Department of Justice stated that it had searched "more than 40 locations suspected of being 'laptop farms' across the state of Texas," which generated more than $3 million for Pyongyang by deceiving American employers into hiring North Korean citizens.
In addition to the two Americans arrested in Ohio and Pennsylvania on charges related to money laundering and identity theft, authorities have charged 14 people as part of Operation "Lone Star Roundup," including 10 residing in China.
John Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, said, "The North Korean regime uses its large-scale IT worker hiring programs to generate revenue for illicit purposes, including the development of weapons that could ultimately target the United States or its allies."
This incident is the latest in a series of actions taken by law enforcement agencies targeting "laptop farms" located in the United States, which are facilities housing multiple computers used to generate illicit revenue for the North Korean government.
In April, two Americans were sentenced to prison for setting up similar facilities that individuals abroad, particularly in North Korea, could access remotely while posing as US-based IT professionals.
