Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) government-orchestrated information technology (IT) worker schemes that systematically defraud U.S. businesses. According to the OFAC, the scheme generates revenue to fund the DPRK’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs, including nearly $800 million in 2024.
Accordion got the OFAC, DPRK uses fake documents and stolen identities to hire IT workers in the U.S. and other allied countries. The government takes most of their earnings, which total hundreds of millions of dollars, to fund weapons programs that break U.S. and UN sanctions. Sometimes, these workers also secretly install malware in company systems to steal sensitive information.
All property and interests of the designated blocked persons in the U.S. are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. Any entities that are 50% or more owned by these blocked persons are also blocked. Generally, U.S. persons cannot engage in any transactions with the blocked persons or their property unless authorized by OFAC.
Read the Treasury’s press release here.