US Confirms Seizure of Crypto Stolen by North Korean Hackers, American Citizens Admit Involvement

These individuals helped North Korean operatives obtain jobs, sometimes using stolen or fake identities, and kept laptops from U.S. companies at their own homes to simulate local presence.

The fraud affected 136 U.S. companies, earning North Korea $2.2 million. DOJ stated that these admissions are part of a long-term effort to disrupt North Korea’s cybercrime revenue. U.S. authorities have long worked to prevent such fraud, prosecute offenders, and sanction international networks.

Three U.S. citizens—Audricus Fagnusai, Jason Salazar, and Alexander Paul Travis—pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, assisting North Koreans in obtaining jobs and setting up remote access. Another citizen, Eric Nothkerez Prince, admitted to setting traps for IT workers located outside North Korea, earning $89,000. Ukrainian citizen Alexander Didenko also admitted to wire fraud and identity theft, selling fake or stolen identities to over 40 U.S. companies and agreeing to forfeit $1.4 million.

DOJ also reported that in 2023, it froze and seized over $15 million in cryptocurrency stolen by North Korean hackers. North Korea has targeted crypto exchanges and blockchain projects, stealing over $650 million in 2024 and over $200 million in the current year.