Home » 4 North Koreans Indicted in U.S. IT Job Fraud Scheme

4 North Koreans Indicted in U.S. IT Job Fraud Scheme

DOJ: Millions stolen, data compromised by fake workers

by Sophia Bennett

DOJ: Millions stolen, data compromised by fake workers

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice and FBI have charged four North Korean nationals—Kim Kwang Jin, Kang Tae Bok, Jong Pong Ju, and Chang Nam Il—in connection with a sweeping wire fraud and money laundering operation targeting over 100 U.S. companies.

According to an indictment unsealed on June 30, 2025, the North Koreans used stolen identities of more than 80 U.S. citizens to pose as remote IT workers. Through this deception, they gained unauthorized access to sensitive corporate data, intellectual property, and cryptocurrency accounts—causing over $3 million in losses from legal fees, security breaches, and other remediation efforts.

Among the victims was a Georgia-based firm from which the group allegedly stole $900,000 in cryptocurrency, and a California defense contractor that reportedly lost sensitive technical data, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)-restricted content.

In addition to the indictments, the DOJ confirmed one arrest and the seizure of financial accounts and digital infrastructure. The investigation also led to searches at more than 24 U.S. locations believed to be hosting laptops used by the North Korean operatives.

Two U.S. citizens, Zhenxing “Danny” Wang (arrested in New Jersey) and Kejia Wang (still at large), were also indicted for allegedly helping the scheme by managing hardware, finances, and shell companies for the North Koreans. They reportedly earned nearly $700,000 for their role.

Prosecutors further announced indictments against four Chinese nationals and two Taiwanese nationals for their alleged assistance in the operation. The Permanent Mission of North Korea to the U.N. has not responded to requests for comment.

Authorities say the case underscores the growing national security threat posed by North Korea’s covert “IT worker” program—a tactic that enables Pyongyang to bypass sanctions, fund its regime, and compromise foreign networks under the radar.

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