US Offers $5 Million Reward To Expose North Korean Cyber Schemes

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.

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.

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.

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.