The US Department of Justice has moved to seizing $ 7.74 million in the crypto earned by North Korean IT workers using fake identity allegedly and working in blockchain firms as distance contractors.
A Chinese banker allegedly frozen the funds in April 2023 as part of an prosecution in April 2023 to help North Korean IT workers give funds. Said In a statement of 5 June.
The Department of Justice wants to seize several cryptocurrency, including stabechoin and bitcoin (BTC) Different amounts, along with Non-fingered token And Atherium name service Domains that are organized in many self-custody wallets and bennens accounts, according to the complaint of its civil forgear Filed Washington, DC Federal Court on 5 June.
Matthew Geloti, head of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, said the matter highlights how the North Korean government is trying to take advantage of the Cryptocurrency ecosystem to fund its illegal priorities. ”
He said, “The department will use every legal equipment at its disposal to protect the cryptocurrency ecosystem and will deny its sick profit in violation of American sanctions to North Korea,” he said.
DOJ claimed that North Korean IT Workers Who earned Crypto, active in many countries and used Phone Identity Documents and other obfuscation strategies to get employment.
IT workers allegedly get sick benefits
After payment, Often in stablecoins Like USDC (USDC) And tether (USDT), IT workers allegedly used laundering techniques including chain hoping and token swaps in NFTS, including chain hoping and token swaps.
The Department of Justice alleged that the fund should have been sent back to the North Korean government through SIM and Kim Song Man, Another North Korean was approved by OFAC For money laundering offenses.
In recent years, North Korea has been fulfilling its efforts to infiltrate the Crypto industry and raise funds to send back to the Hermit Kingdom.
Google’s danger intelligence group Details of April report released North Korea is expanding the operation of its intrusion for blockchain firms outside the US after extending the investigation from authorities, with notable attention to Europe.
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Meanwhile, blockchain investigator ZachxBT said last August. Evidence of evidence without a refined network North Korean developers who earn $ 500,000 per month working for “established” crypto projects.
In 2022, DOJ, State Department and Treasury Released A joint advisory warning about North Korean workers’ influx In various freelance technical jobs, especially crypto.
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