Archive · 24 Dec 2025
Amazon Blocks 1,800 North Korean IT Workers
Amazon, a big tech company, has stopped over 1,800 people from North Korea from getting jobs there.
These North Koreans were trying to get remote IT jobs to earn money for their country.
Amazon noticed a big increase in job applications from North Korea and found out they were using special methods like 'laptop farms' to apply.
These farms are computers in the US controlled from outside the country.
Amazon's security chief said this isn't just a problem for Amazon but likely happening in many other companies too.
They found out who these North Koreans were by looking at things like phone numbers and school records that didn't seem right.
Recently, a woman in Arizona was sent to prison for helping North Korean workers get jobs in many US companies, earning lots of money for them.
North Korea has also been using social media to get information from South Korean defense workers.
The US government says North Korean hackers have stolen over $3 billion in the past few years.
Amazon blocked 1,800 North Korean job applicants due to fund-laundering concerns.
North Korean workers use 'laptop farms' to apply for remote IT jobs in the US.
Amazon saw a nearly one-third rise in applications from North Koreans in the past year.
The problem is likely happening at scale across the IT industry, not just Amazon.
Telltale signs of North Korean workers include wrongly formatted phone numbers and dodgy academic credentials.
- Who
- Amazon and North Korean IT workers
- What
- Blocking of 1,800 North Korean job applicants due to fund-laundering concerns
- When
- In the past year, with a recent LinkedIn post by Amazon's Chief Security Officer
- Where
- United States and worldwide
- Why
- To prevent North Korea from earning and laundering funds through remote IT jobs
North Korea's Perspective
Amazon's Perspective
Motivation for IT Jobs
North Korea's Perspective
North Korea sends IT workers overseas to earn and launder funds to support the regime's weapons programs.
Amazon's Perspective
Amazon aims to prevent North Korea from using its platform to generate and launder funds for illicit activities.
Use of Laptop Farms
North Korea's Perspective
North Korea uses laptop farms to apply for remote IT jobs, which helps them bypass international sanctions and earn foreign currency.
Amazon's Perspective
Amazon views the use of laptop farms as a deceptive practice that undermines the integrity of its hiring process and poses a security risk.
- Company
- Amazon
- Number of Blocked Applicants
- 1,800
- Increase in Applications
- Nearly one-third rise in the past year
- Method Used
- Laptop farms
- Industry Impact
- Likely happening at scale across the IT sector
- Telltale Signs
- Wrongly formatted phone numbers and dodgy academic credentials
- Recent Case
- Arizona woman sentenced to over eight years for running a laptop farm
- Revenue Generated
- Over $17 million
- US Treasury Accusations
- North Korea-affiliated cybercriminals stole over $3 billion in the past three years
Sources
Amazon Denies Jobs To 1,800 North Koreans Over Fund-Laundering Fears
No Jobs For North Korea: Amazon Blocks Over 1,800 Kim Jong Regime Applications Amid Cybersecurity Concerns
Amazon blocks 1,800 North Koreans IT workers from entering the company
