Amazon blocked more than 1,800 North Koreans from securing remote IT positions. Chief Security Officer Stephen Schmidt announced the action, stating the individuals attempted to obtain jobs to earn and launder funds for Pyongyang.
Schmidt noted a nearly one-third rise in such applications over the past year. He warned that this activity is likely an industry-wide issue, not specific to Amazon.
Applicants used sophisticated fraudulent methods, including "laptop farms"—computers in the U.S. operated remotely from abroad. Applications also featured signs of fraud, such as incorrectly formatted phone numbers and questionable academic credentials.
This action underscores the growing challenge companies face in vetting remote workers and combating illicit activities by state-sponsored actors. No market reaction to the news has been reported.