The Lazarus Group’s growing activity underscores the persistent threat posed by North Korean cyberattacks, prompting authorities to step up efforts to combat cybercrime and protect the global financial system.
The United States denounced that a group of North Korean hackers carried out a series of audacious robberies that have impacted both traditional financial institutions and the banking sector. cryptocurrencies. It is estimated that the total amount stolen amounts to $879 million. In response to this threat, the US government took steps to seize assets linked to these crimes.
On October 4, 2024, two legal actions were filed in order to initiate the seizure of more than $2.67 million in cryptocurrencies associated with the North Korean hacking group known as Lazarus.
The documents reveal that the seizure order relates to two major cyber attacks, one of which involved the theft of 1.7 million USDT from options exchange Deribit and 15.5 Bitcoin (BTC), valued at approximately $971. ,000, from the Stake.com site. Additionally, the Lazarus Group is also believed to have been behind the hack of the WazirX exchange, which resulted in a significant loss of $234.9 million.
North Korean hacker attacks
With the seizure of these cryptocurrencies, the authorities seek to dismantle the illegal financial flows generated by these hackers. Lazarus Group has targeted organizations in countries such as Japan, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. According to the US government, the tactics used by this group combine malicious cyberattacks, extortion and theft.
The name “Lazarus,” which refers to a biblical figure who returned from the dead, is particularly fitting for a group that seems to constantly re-emerge with new strategies and goals.
PAG21-cyber attack_opt.jpeg
Last September, the FBI warned about a new tactic by the group, which focuses on attracting cryptocurrency investors through false employment or investment scenarios. These actors seek to establish long-term relationships with their potential victims, delivering malware in situations that appear natural and non-suspicious.
In February 2021, the US Department of Justice. charged three North Korean programmers involved in a vast criminal conspiracy that encompassed the theft of money and cryptocurrency, as well as the implementation of malicious cryptocurrency-related applications and fraudulent blockchain platforms.
In addition, the US has noted that Lazarus Group has been involved in several high-profile attacks, such as the hacking of Sony Pictures in 2014 and the creation of the WannaCry ransomware. This group often attempts to launder stolen funds through the Tornado Cash mixer, although law enforcement has managed to trace some of those funds.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
