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Amazon has blocked more than 1,800 North Korean job applications after finding signs of fraud and security risks. The company said these applications showed clear warning signs of fake identities and organised misuse of remote work systems. The decision reflects growing concern over online job scams in the global tech industry.
Amazon’s Chief Security Officer, Stephen Schmidt, shared the details in a public post. He said people connected to North Korea tried to apply for remote IT jobs by using false names and stolen personal information. The goal was to get hired, earn money, and secretly send the income back to North Korea.
Remote work has made this problem easier for fraud groups. Many companies now hire people without meeting them in person. This gives criminals a chance to hide their real location and identity. Amazon noticed a sharp rise in such activity. The company recorded almost a one-third increase in suspicious applications over the past year.
One common trick involves what experts call laptop farms. These are computers placed inside the United States but controlled remotely from other countries. This setup makes it look like the worker is based in the US. In reality, the person may be operating from overseas. This helps fraudsters pass basic location checks.
Another tactic includes taking over old LinkedIn accounts. Hackers use leaked login details to hijack inactive profiles. These accounts already look real and trusted. Some even belong to real software engineers. This makes fake candidates appear genuine during job reviews.
Amazon uses AI screening and manual checks to stop such attempts. The system looks for small mistakes that often reveal fraud. These include phone numbers with the wrong format, education records that do not match, and unusual online behaviour. When AI flags a risk, trained staff review the application carefully.
Schmidt said these scams are becoming more advanced. Fraud groups now use better tools and smarter methods to stay hidden. He warned that this issue is not limited to Amazon. Many tech companies face the same risk. He urged firms to report suspicious activity to authorities quickly.
Government agencies have already taken action. In June, US officials found nearly 30 illegal laptop farms across the country. These setups helped North Korean IT workers get jobs at American companies using stolen identities.
In another case, a woman in Arizona received a lengthy prison sentence for running a large laptop farm. Officials said her operation helped North Korean workers get remote jobs at more than 300 companies. The scheme earned over $17 million, much of which went back to North Korea.
Experts say the risk extends beyond financial losses. Fake workers may enter company systems. They may see private company data. This can lead to security issues. Remote hiring is increasing, so companies must be careful and properly vet workers.
Amazon's action is a potent reminder of the necessity of reliable hiring security. The rejection of North Korean job applications not only signals a firm stand against fraud networks but also underscores the need for more rigorous control measures in the remote work area.
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