The US government warned on Monday that North Koreans are trying to hide their identities to secure remote jobs in the IT and crypto sector, often claiming that they are from the US or other parts of Asia. They are allegedly trying to help secure funds for North Korea's weapons programmes, in violation of international sanctions.
<h2><strong>North Koreans are Looking for US-based Crypto Jobs</strong></h2>
The US Departments of Justice, State, and the Treasury <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/126/20220516_dprk_it_worker_advisory.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> a joint advisory on Monday warning that North Korean IT workers were taking advantage of the remote working opportunities to seek jobs in the tech and crypto sector.
<blockquote><em>"The DPRK has dispatched thousands of highly skilled IT workers around the world, earning revenue for the DPRK that contributes to its weapons programs in violation of U.S. and UN sanctions," the advisory reads.</em></blockquote>
The warning noted in particular that the said workers often take on projects that involve virtual currency.
<blockquote><em>“Some DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) IT workers have designed virtual currency exchanges or created analytic tools and applications for virtual currency traders and marketed their products themselves,” the document said.</em></blockquote>
<h2><strong>North Korea's Lazarus Group Behind Axie Infinity's Hack</strong></h2>
The latest warning comes after several U.S. government organizations jointly warned last month of the North Korean state-sponsored group Lazarus Group targeting blockchain and crypto companies.

In fact, the US Treasury Department has <a href="https://www.cryptoknowmics.com/news/us-government-issues-warning-on-north-korea-targeting-blockchain-firms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tied</a> Lazarus to the high-profile theft of $625 million worth of cryptocurrency from the Ronin bridge linked to the popular play-to-earn game Axie Infinity.

US Warns Over Hiring Concealed North Koreans in IT and Crypto Jobs

The US government warned on Monday that North Koreans are trying to hide their identities to secure remote jobs in the IT and crypto sector.

Jafrin is a cryptocurrency journalist/researcher fascinated by the world of decentralization. She is hopeful towards blockchain’s innovation and its potential to reshape the world for good. Currently, she is bringing out the best of cryptosphere via covering the latest ins and outs of the blockchain space.

US Warns Over Hiring Concealed North Koreans in IT and Crypto Jobs

Top Picks