DOJ raids 40+ Texas 'laptop farms' used by North Korean IT workers to infiltrate US firms
The Department of Justice says it has indicted and arrested two Americans and seized over 180 computers from more than 40 laptop farms across Texas, which North Korean operatives allegedly used to remotely access jobs at U.S. companies under stolen identities. Prosecutors say at least 70 companies across 17 states and DC—spanning healthcare, retail, manufacturing and other sectors—were infiltrated, generating roughly $3 million in illicit proceeds.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The scale of the raid suggests North Korea's state-linked hacking operations are increasingly dependent on recruiting local Americans to mask their presence, which could make detection harder for companies relying on remote hiring. CrowdStrike's involvement signals that private cybersecurity firms are playing a growing role in tracking these schemes alongside federal law enforcement, and the pattern points to a broader shift toward outsourcing and subcontracting within North Korean cyber operations.
- DOJ seized 180+ computers from over 40 Texas 'laptop farms' tied to North Korean hackers
- At least 70 U.S. companies across 17 states and DC were allegedly infiltrated, netting about $3 million
- North Korean operatives reportedly used stolen American identities and local facilitators to gain remote jobs
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Published there as: “Justice Department says North Koreans have infiltrated dozens of U.S. companies”
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