Federal Raid Seizes Hundreds of Devices Used by North Korean IT Operatives in Texas
Federal agents announced the seizure of over 185 laptops and related equipment used by North Korean IT workers to funnel wages from U.S. companies to the DPRK's weapons programs.
During a press briefing, the U.S. District Attorney for the Northern District of Texas detailed a federal investigation that targeted a North Korean cyber-money-laundering operation dubbed Operation Lone Star Round-Up. Authorities seized over 185 laptops and keyboard-monitor-mouse kits used by DPRK operatives to gain remote access to U.S. businesses and channel employee wages back to North Korea, where the funds support nuclear and ballistic-missile programs.
FBI officials explained that the scheme has persisted for years, with workers posing as legitimate contractors and often using stolen American identities or paid proxies to obtain jobs. The Treasury Department estimates that the operation moved more than $800 million in a single fiscal year. Agents urged companies to adopt layered security checks, such as E-Verify and multiple forms of ID, and cautioned individuals against sharing personal data with unknown recruiters. Similar raids have been conducted in cities including Las Vegas, Louisville, New Orleans, and Cleveland.
Why it matters
The bust reveals how North Korea exploits U.S. tech jobs to finance its weapons programs, highlighting a hidden national-security threat.
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