Federal authorities have disclosed a startling revelation, linking a notorious North Korean hacker group to a brazen cryptocurrency theft amounting to approximately $41 million. The audacious cyberattack specifically targeted an online casino and betting platform, showcasing the hacker group’s ongoing prowess in the realm of cybercrime.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been closely monitoring the activities of this cybercriminal organization and has issued a stark warning regarding the sheer scale of their illicit endeavors. According to the FBI’s findings, this particular hacking group has managed to amass a staggering sum of over $200 million in ill-gotten gains within this year alone.
This disturbing pattern of financial theft underscores the enduring threat posed by North Korean hackers in the cybersecurity landscape. Their ability to execute high-value heists with a degree of impunity serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures and international cooperation to counteract such criminal activities.
The incident unfolded on September 4 when Stake.com, a prominent cryptocurrency casino based in Curaçao, temporarily suspended its operations due to unauthorized transfers from its hot wallets. The affected cryptocurrencies included Ethereum, Polygon, and the Binance Smart Chain, while all other wallets remained unaffected. Stake.com swiftly resumed normal operations after identifying the issue.
The FBI has officially attributed the theft to the Lazarus Group, a North Korean cybercriminal outfit that had previously faced sanctions from the US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control in 2019. The Lazarus Group has been involved in several high-profile cryptocurrency thefts across the globe.
During an interview with DL News, Edward Craven, one of the co-founders of Stake.com, characterized the cyberattack as a highly sophisticated intrusion. Stake.com is widely recognized for its diverse betting offerings, including the use of popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, along with an extensive sportsbook comprising more than 40 different sports markets.
