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Update · 07:30 pm AEST · 19 September 2026

North Korean hackers infect 30,000 devices in $10.5m global crypto scam

North Korean hackers infect 30,000 devices in $10.5m global crypto scam
Photograph: The Record

North Korean hackers have stolen more than $10.5 million from job seekers across 100 countries in a cyber campaign dubbed "WaterPlum", the FBI and international law enforcement agencies said in an advisory.

The hackers infected at least 30,000 devices and stole credentials from about 7,000 cryptocurrency wallets between December 2025 and July 2026 by posing as AI or blockchain companies, according to the advisory released on Friday, The Record reports.

North Korean hackers infect thousands of devices across 100 countries as part of ‘WaterPlum’ campaign The FBI and Defense Department partnered with Japan’s National Police Agency and law enforcement agencies in Australia and Germany on a new advisory about “WaterPlum” — a group of cyber actors allegedly stealing cryptocurrency from job applicants by posing as AI or blockchain companies. therecord.media
cybersecuritycryptocurrencyfbicryptoscams

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