Amazon Blocks 1,800 Job Applications from Suspected North Korean Operatives

Amazon has thwarted over 1,800 job applications from suspected North Korean agents attempting to secure remote IT positions using stolen or fake identities, according to a recent statement from the company's chief security officer, Stephen Schmidt. The operatives, likely working to fund the regime's weapons programs, have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, including hijacking dormant LinkedIn accounts and targeting genuine software engineers.

Amazon's move to block the job applications comes as authorities in the US and South Korea have warned about Pyongyang's operatives carrying out online scams. Schmidt, in a LinkedIn post, revealed that the suspected North Korean agents tried to apply for remote working IT jobs, with their objective being to get hired, get paid, and funnel wages back to fund the regime's weapons programs.

According to Schmidt, this trend is likely to be happening at scale across the industry, especially in the US. Amazon has seen a significant number of attempts, with over 1,800 job applications blocked, and the company is emphasizing the importance of robust screening measures to prevent such scams. "Their objective is typically straightforward: get hired, get paid, and funnel wages back to fund the regime's weapons programs," Schmidt said.

The suspected North Korean operatives have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics, including hijacking dormant LinkedIn accounts and targeting genuine software engineers. This trend is expected to be widespread across the industry, prompting Amazon to emphasize the importance of robust screening measures, including AI tools and staff verification, to prevent such scams.

The use of stolen or fake identities by the suspected North Korean agents is a concerning trend that highlights the need for companies to be vigilant in their hiring processes. According to experts, the operatives are likely using stolen or fake identities to apply for jobs, making it difficult for companies to detect them.

Amazon's move to block the job applications is a significant step in preventing such scams, and the company is urging other companies to take similar measures to prevent North Korean operatives from infiltrating their ranks. As the trend of online scams continues to grow, companies must be proactive in their hiring processes to prevent such incidents from occurring.

In a statement, Amazon emphasized the importance of robust screening measures to prevent such scams. "We take the security of our employees and the integrity of our hiring process very seriously," the company said. "We are committed to preventing such scams and will continue to work with authorities to identify and block suspicious activity."

The incident highlights the need for companies to be vigilant in their hiring processes and to take proactive measures to prevent North Korean operatives from infiltrating their ranks. As the trend of online scams continues to grow, companies must be prepared to take action to prevent such incidents from occurring.