Crypto Scam: U.S, Japan and South Korea Warns of North Korean Hackers

These three nations – the United States, Japan, and South Korea – have collectively released a statement aiming to counteract the rising issue of crypto scams orchestrated by hackers from North Korea. The joint declaration underscores their ongoing efforts to weaken these malicious groups such as Lazarus Group, which pose significant threats, but are being actively addressed with proactive actions aimed at minimizing their impact.

The Lingering Crypto Scam Threat

As stated in the joint declaration, the involved nations acknowledge that hacking groups from North Korea continue to be a significant threat not only to them but also to their international partners. These nations assert that the hackers from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea focus on infiltrating cryptocurrency exchanges and related services with the intent of stealing funds.

Highlighting several instances, the statement underscored the DMM Bitcoin exploit which resulted in a $308 million deficit. Similarly, Upbit experienced a $50 million setback, while Rain Management reported a $16.13 million shortfall. Last year’s cryptocurrency fraud cases were marked by the significant $235 million loss suffered by WazirX.

The lingering loss on the trading platform remains, as Binance decided to remove WRX, its native token, in December. These groups of hackers’ stolen funds are being pursued by three countries, with a main objective of financing the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program of the North Korean government.

Tactics to Fight North Korean Hackers

According to a joint declaration from the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, these cybercriminals employ cleverly camouflaged social engineering tactics. If they’re able to trick their targets, they proceed by installing malicious software such as AppleJeus and TraderTraitor for executing their attacks.

In spite of various restrictions, the ability of North Korean cybercriminals to carry out cryptocurrency fraud has persisted unabated. Even as warnings against these activities echo worldwide, the three (North Korea) have remained vulnerable to such digital attacks originating from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

To combat hacking attempts from these groups, the nations proposed exchanging critical information among essential entities. They suggested fostering a productive collaboration between public and private organizations to cut off the hackers’ financial resources. According to the declaration, enforcing penalties could discourage the cybercriminals’ business strategy.

What to Note Moving Forward

It’s important to point out that the administration of President Joe Biden has taken a firm stance on overseeing the digital currency market. A significant aspect of this approach is the concern that the market can foster criminal activities, an argument made by skeptics who believe that the asset lacks inherent value.

As an analyst, I’ve recently observed that Bitcoin critic Senator Elizabeth Warren has penned an open letter to the incoming SEC Chair, Paul Atkins, advocating for a firm stance on cryptocurrencies. Given the ongoing threat from North Korea and the potential for future cyberattacks, it remains uncertain how this new leadership will manage such hacker groups in the digital currency space.

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2025-01-15 07:41