US issues sanctions against companies in Laos, China tied to North Korean IT worker scheme

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned DPRK Department 53, associated front companies and individuals accused of deploying thousands of North Korean IT workers overseas (notably in Laos and China) who used stolen U.S. identities, specialized equipment, and covert communications to steal data, extort employers, and funnel wages back to finance North Korea’s weapons programs and cyber activities, including cryptocurrency-targeting attacks.