Four North Korean nationals have been charged in a federal indictment for their involvement in a cryptocurrency theft scheme that netted nearly $1 million. The individuals, identified as Kim Kwang Jin, Kang Tae Bok, Jong Pong Ju, and Chang Nam Il, are accused of using fake identities to secure employment as remote IT workers and subsequently stealing and laundering over $900,000 in virtual currency.
“The defendants used fake and stolen personal identities to conceal their North Korean nationality, pose as remote IT workers, and exploit their victims’ trust to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars,” stated U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. He emphasized the unique threat posed by North Korea to companies employing remote IT workers.
Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg highlighted the broader implications of such schemes: “These schemes target and steal from U.S. companies and are designed to evade sanctions and fund the North Korean regime’s illicit programs, including its weapons programs.”
Paul Brown from FBI Atlanta remarked on the operatives’ methods: “North Korean operatives used false identities to infiltrate companies and steal digital assets to fund their regime.”
The indictment alleges that since October 2019, the defendants worked together under false pretenses in various countries. They gained employment with an Atlanta-based blockchain company and a Serbian virtual token company by using stolen identities. Once employed, they allegedly stole substantial amounts of virtual currency through unauthorized access.
To obscure the origins of these funds, they reportedly used a virtual currency mixer before transferring them into exchange accounts under aliases using fraudulent documents.
The charges were filed by a federal grand jury in Georgia on June 24, 2025. While charges have been brought forward, it is important to note that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s DPRK RevGen: Domestic Enabler Initiative aimed at countering North Korea’s illicit revenue activities within the United States.
For further details or inquiries about this case, contact can be made with the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office.
