
The US government has announced a $5 million reward for information on North Korean nationals infiltrating American tech companies and engaging in cyber activities. This initiative aims to dismantle financial networks funding North Korea’s weapons programs and other illicit operations.
The reward is offered through the State Department’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, which has distributed over $250 million to tipsters since its inception in 1984. The program seeks to uncover activities such as worker exportation, money laundering, and cybercrimes that support the regime’s proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
US offers $5 million bounty for information on North Korean IT firms
The firms are suspected of placing workers in US firms to extort money to fund North Korea’s weapons programs. https://t.co/x1ERL6WB7e
— Karol Cummins – New Acct (@karolcummins) December 16, 2024
The announcement follows the indictment of 14 North Korean nationals by the Department of Justice. These individuals are accused of identity theft, extortion, and wire fraud while working for North Korean-controlled companies Yanbian Silverstar and Volasys Silverstar, which operate out of China and Russia.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco explained that the defendants used fake identities to secure IT positions with US companies, accessing sensitive information to benefit the regime. The scheme, spanning from 2017 to 2023, generated $88 million in revenue for North Korea, according to the Justice Department.
🚨🇺🇸🇰🇵 $5M REWARD: NORTH KOREAN “IT PROS” SCAMMED U.S. COMPANIES
Turns out, North Korean “tech geniuses” weren’t just coding—they were stealing trade secrets and raking in $88M from U.S. companies between 2017-2023 to fund Pyongyang’s weapons program.
Using fake identities,… pic.twitter.com/3DN29jPGhc
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 12, 2024
Federal authorities have already frozen millions of dollars in illegal funds and shut down websites linked to the schemes. The State Department’s reward program is encouraging individuals with information to come forward anonymously through the RFJ website or a secure Tor-based channel.
US offers $5 million for info on North Korean IT worker farms https://t.co/yiH461aBaz
— Supersonic Redhead🛫 (@Supersonic_Red) December 13, 2024
The initiative reflects the US government’s broader strategy to address North Korea’s growing reliance on cyber operations. Officials hope the financial incentive will lead to valuable intelligence, helping to curb the regime’s ability to evade sanctions and fund its nuclear ambitions.