North Korean hackers stealing record sums, researchers say
North Korean hackers stealing record sums, researchers say
Analysts estimate cyber-criminals linked to Pyongyang have taken more than $2bn so far in 2025.
Read the full article on BBC Technology
Truth Analysis
Analysis Summary:
The article's claim of North Korean hackers stealing over $2 billion in 2025 is significantly inflated and contradicted by available sources, which report lower figures for both 2024 and specific incidents in early 2025. The article exhibits a moderate bias by focusing on North Korean cybercrime without providing broader context on global cybercrime activities.
Detailed Analysis:
- Claim: Analysts estimate cyber-criminals linked to Pyongyang have taken more than $2bn so far in 2025.
- Verification Source #1: Reports North Korean hackers are behind a $1.4 billion crypto theft in Feb 2025.
- Verification Source #3: Reports $2.2 billion stolen from crypto platforms in *2024*.
- Verification Source #4: Reports North Korean hackers stole $1.3bn in crypto this year (*2024*).
- Verification Source #5: Reports North Korean hackers steal record $1.5 billion in a single crypto hack in Feb 2025.
- Assessment: Contradicted. The $2 billion figure for 2025 is not supported by the provided sources. Sources 1 and 5 report a $1.4-$1.5 billion heist in early 2025. Sources 3 and 4 report figures for the entire year of 2024, not 2025, and these figures are lower than $2 billion.
Supporting Evidence/Contradictions:
- Source 3: "Chainalysis: $2.2 billion stolen from crypto platforms in 2024"
- Source 4: "North Korean hackers stole $1.3bn in crypto this year, report says" (referring to 2024)
- Source 5: "North Korean hackers steal record $1.5 billion in single crypto hack, security firm says" (referring to a specific incident in Feb 2025)