Amazon Blocks 1,800 North Korean Job Applicants Over Security Concerns

Amazon has reportedly blocked around 1,800 North Korean nationals from applying for jobs at the company, citing serious security risks linked to cyber infiltration. The decision follows warnings from Stephen Schmidt, Amazon’s chief security officer, about attempts by North Korean hackers to gain access to US companies by posing as remote employees.
According to media reports, these individuals often use fake or stolen identities and operate through what are known as “laptop farms.” Laptop farms consist of computers physically located in the US but remotely controlled from outside the country, creating the impression that the employee is working domestically. Indicators such as unusual phone number formats and questionable academic credentials are said to help identify such fake applicants.
Amazon has reportedly seen a sharp rise in job applications linked to North Korea in 2025. Schmidt has indicated that Amazon is likely not the only company being targeted, describing the practice as a method for North Koreans to secure overseas employment, generate income, and launder money.
In response, Amazon has taken steps to block at least 1,800 such candidates from entering its workforce.
There have also been reports of North Koreans impersonating recruiters on professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn, where they allegedly attempt to extract confidential technical information from South Korean employees working with defence-related organisations.
Amazon’s actions underscore the seriousness of the threat. The issue gained wider attention recently after a woman in Arizona was arrested and sentenced for operating a laptop farm that enabled North Koreans to work remotely for nearly 300 US companies. The operation is reported to have generated millions of dollars for both the individual involved and North Korea.
The developments highlight growing concerns among US companies about the misuse of remote work arrangements for cyber and financial security breaches.
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