FBI: North Korean Cyber Criminals Planning to Sell Nearly 1,600 BTC they Stole

Status
Not open for further replies.

THETA

Super Mod
Super Mod
Moderator
Jul 9, 2023
513
979
0
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned cryptocurrency companies about the Lazarus Group’s potential move to cash out 1,580 Bitcoin (BTC), which is currently worth about $41 million. The North Korean hacking collective has been involved in numerous attacks in recent years, draining cryptocurrencies worth millions of dollars. The FBI has identified six addresses where the Lazarus Group has transferred their BTC stash, which was generated through various thefts. The agency believes that this indicates a future sale of the stolen assets. The FBI urged private sector entities to be vigilant and guard against transactions with or derived from these addresses. The agency also reiterated its commitment to combat the illicit activities of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and its use of cybercrime and cryptocurrency theft to generate revenue.

The Lazarus Group, also known as APT38, has been linked to several high-profile crypto heists in recent years. These include the $600 million exploit of Ronin Bridge, the $60 million theft from Alphapo in June 2022, and the breach of Harmony’s Horizon bridge in 2022, resulting in losses of $100 million. The group, established in 2009 for cyberespionage, has shifted its focus to targeting cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms to drain digital assets. The Lazarus hackers are skilled in deploying various types of malware on computer networks and servers. They also employ sophisticated techniques to steal and launder cryptocurrencies, including the use of mixing services and decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.

There have been allegations that the Lazarus Group’s activities contribute to North Korea’s funding of its missile experiments. A White House official claimed that 50% of the funds used for missile experiments are stolen by the Lazarus Group. Blockchain data platform Chainalysis estimates that the group embezzled around $1.7 billion worth of cryptocurrency in 2022 alone.

The Lazarus Group’s activities highlight the ongoing challenges and risks associated with cryptocurrency Security. The decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies and the ability to transfer funds anonymously make them an attractive target for hackers and cybercriminals. The FBI’s warning to cryptocurrency companies underscores the importance of robust security measures and the need for vigilance in guarding against cyber threats.

In conclusion, the FBI has alerted cryptocurrency companies about the Lazarus Group’s potential move to cash out 1,580 Bitcoin, worth nearly $41 million. The North Korean hacking collective has been involved in numerous attacks and has targeted cryptocurrency exchanges and platforms to drain digital assets. The group employs sophisticated techniques to steal and launder cryptocurrencies, and its activities are estimated to have resulted in billions of dollars in losses. The FBI’s warning highlights the ongoing challenges and risks associated with cryptocurrency security, emphasizing the need for robust security measures and vigilance in guarding against cyber threats..

”altcoins”


#North #Korean #Hackers #Sell #Stolen #BTC #FBI
 
Status
Not open for further replies.