DOJ Charges North Korean Nationals for Crypto Theft and Identity Fraud in US

The United States Department of Justice has unveiled coordinated enforcement actions against an alleged North Korean operation targeting U.S. companies to steal cryptocurrency assets. North Korean nationals reportedly posed as American citizens to secure remote IT jobs, pilfer sensitive corporate data, and launder digital assets, funneling proceeds to support the sanctioned regime.

Authorities filed two indictments, arrested one individual, and seized 29 financial accounts tied to illicit funds. The scheme involved stolen identities from over 80 Americans, enabling fraudulent employment at more than 100 companies—including Fortune 500 firms—resulting in at least $3 million in damages.

A Georgia indictment detailed how four North Korean operatives allegedly stole $900,000 in cryptocurrency from two U.S. firms. The funds were laundered through mixing services like Tornado Cash before being withdrawn using falsified Malaysian documentation.