North Korean fake remote worker scam lands two Americans 18-month prison sentences for hosting laptops — US firms unknowingly shipped laptops to “employees” who secretly worked from overseas via remote desktop, generating $1.2 million for Pyongyang

Two U.S. men were sentenced to 18 months each for helping North Korean operatives pose as remote IT workers.

They received company laptops at home, set up remote access, and enabled the scheme to target nearly 70 U.S. firms.

The operation used Remote Desktop Protocol and other tools to mask the workers’ real locations and identities.

Prosecutors said the fraud generated more than $1.2 million for North Korea, despite sanctions.