The FBI, working with cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, dismantled a network of more than 40 laptop farms in Texas. The farms helped North Korean IT workers use stolen or false American identities to obtain remote jobs at U.S. companies. More than 70 firms were targeted.
The operation, dubbed Lonestar Roundup, resulted in the seizure of 187 laptops and other devices. U.S.-based facilitators housed and managed laptops supplied by victim companies, making it appear that the workers were based in the United States. The scheme generated revenue for North Korea’s sanctioned weapons programs.
CrowdStrike tracks the threat group as Famous Chollima. The firm provided intelligence and technical analysis to support the FBI’s disruption efforts.