Amazon Foils North Korean Job Scammers, Blocks 1,800 Applicants

Amazon has taken a significant step in combating North Korean cyber threats, blocking over 1,800 job applicants suspected of being part of a sophisticated scheme. According to Amazon's Chief Security Officer Stephen Schmidt, North Korean workers have been attempting to secure remote IT jobs worldwide, particularly in the US. The scheme involves using 'laptop farms,' where computers in the US are operated remotely from outside the country. Schmidt warned that this problem is not unique to Amazon and is likely happening at a large scale across the industry. In a recent LinkedIn post, Schmidt highlighted the tactics used by North Korean job applicants, including incorrectly formatted phone numbers and fake academic credentials. He pointed out that the problem is not just limited to Amazon but is a broader issue that requires collective action. The US authorities have been cracking down on North Korean cybercrime, with a woman in Arizona being sentenced to over eight years in prison for running a laptop farm that helped North Korean IT workers secure remote jobs at over 300 US companies. The scheme generated over $17 million in revenue for her and North Korea, officials said. North Korea's cyber-warfare programme has been active since the mid-1990s and has grown into a 6,000-strong cyber unit. The US Department of the Treasury has accused North Korea-affiliated cybercriminals of stealing over $3 billion in cryptocurrencies over the past three years. Amazon's move is a significant step in preventing North Korean job scammers from infiltrating the US job market. It highlights the need for companies to remain vigilant and work together to combat cyber threats.