DOJ Announces Actions Against North Korean IT Worker Schemes Affecting More Than 70 U.S. Companies

DOJ announced coordinated actions targeting North Korean remote IT worker schemes affecting more than 70 U.S. companies. An indictment in Ohio charged 14 individuals, including two U.S. nationals who were arrested, in an alleged scheme involving wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft. According to DOJ, the scheme generated approximately $3 million through remote IT employment obtained using stolen or fabricated identities and U.S.-based laptop farms. The proceeds were believed to have been sent to sanctioned North Korean entities. DOJ also announced that September operations at more than 40 suspected laptop-farm residences in Texas resulted in the seizure of approximately 187 computer devices. The FBI issued accompanying guidance on identifying and mitigating North Korean IT worker schemes.