North Korean hackers steal $400 million in crypto using fake video calls, FBI says

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The FBI says North Korean hackers stole more than $400 million in cryptocurrency over 18 months using fake video meetings, malware and stolen accounts.

North Korean state-backed hackers have stolen more than $400 million in cryptocurrency over the past 18 months. They did so by impersonating trusted contacts through fake video meetings and secretly recording victims' webcam footage, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said on November 12, as US authorities moved to disrupt the cybercrime operation.

The scheme, identified as “FaceStealer”, uses compromised social media and communication accounts to send convincing invitations to video calls. The hackers impersonate contacts familiar to their targets, exploiting personal and professional relationships to gain access to cryptocurrency holdings and computer systems.

The FBI said the operation had targeted people in the cryptocurrency and Web3 industries, while increasingly attempting to compromise individuals involved in developing and maintaining open-source software.

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According to the Justice Department's November 12 announcement, hackers send invitations through accounts previously stolen from victims. During the meetings, they play prerecorded webcam footage of people the target recognises, creating the impression that trusted contacts are participating.

The attackers then introduce a fake technical problem, such as an audio malfunction, and instruct the target to click a link or follow troubleshooting steps.

The supposed fix secretly installs malware on the victim's computer, allowing hackers to steal cryptocurrency, access communication accounts and exploit other connected systems.

The compromised victim's contacts and webcam recordings subsequently become material for further attacks, expanding the network of potential targets.

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