FBI disrupts crypto theft scheme by North Korean hacking group; billions stolen so far
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Set us as preferred The FBI said it has disrupted a highly tailored, hard-to-detect cryptocurrency theft scheme by a North Korean hacking group that has managed to steal billions across the world in recent years.The hackers have aggressively targeted people in the cryptocurrency and Web3 industries, as well as workers in the development and maintenance of open-source software, the FBI said in a written statement.
Web3, in general, describes internet applications that interact with a blockchain — a digital ledger that stores data.On Thursday, the FBI and Department of Justice announced the disruption of a cloud-based infrastructure used by the North Korean hackers, resulting in the seizure of more than 900 webcam videos of victims working in the crypto and Web3 industries worldwide.
Before the operation was disrupted, the scheme resulted in the theft of more than $400 million over an 18-month period.FBI officials say the funds are used to bankroll its “rogue regime and illicit weapons program through cryptocurrency theft” and the videos are employed to impersonate and target more victims.“North Korea’s government bankrolls its rogue regime and illicit weapons program through cryptocurrency theft,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Atty.
Gen.for National Security M.
Scott Proctor.“The FBI attributes this activity to the North Korean hacking group commonly referred to in the private sector as Sapphire Sleet, UNC1069, Stardust Chollima, APT38, and BlueNoroff,” the FBI said in a written statement.“Cryptocurrency unfortunately has become fertile ground for North Korea to defraud victims and fund its malign activities,” Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor for Los Angeles, said in a written statement.“Today’s seizure shows that America will continue the fight against rogue states who financially gain f...