South Korea reveals North Korea’s involvement in cyber gambling crime

Jenny Ortiz February 19, 2024

SiGMA news

South Korea reveals North Korea’s involvement in cyber gambling crime

North Korea is involved in the production and selling of gambling websites that come pre-infected with malware, according to South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS).

According to the NIS, the agency identified South Korea cyber crime organizations as buyers of the sites.

The NIS alleged that the North Korea faction responsible for this scheme is believed to be an IT organization associated with the secretive Office 39, known as “Gyeongheung.”
Office 39 operates within North Korea’s ruling Workers Party and is widely regarded, including by the US Department of Treasury, as a key revenue generator for the country’s leadership through both legal and illicit means.

Billion-dollar illegal operations

The NIS said the organization has made billions of dollars in profit.

Based on the report, the websites are leased for approximately $5,000 (€4,600) per month, with North Korea offering technical support for an additional $3,000 (€2,700) monthly fee.
According to a local media report, an extra $2,000 to $5,000 (€1,800 to €4,600) may be awarded if the website successfully acquires significant banking information from Chinese nationals’ PayPal accounts.

Websites contain malicious code

Additionally, the NIS revealed that the websites contained malicious code allowing for automatic betting, through which personal data of gamblers, including approximately 1,100 pieces of information concerning South Korean citizens, was compromised.

SiGMA Eurasia and SiGMA Africa – less than a month away

With less than a month until the highly anticipated SiGMA Africa event kicks off in Cape Town, South Africa on the 11th of March, the gaming industry is abuzz with excitement. Building on the success of its inaugural edition in Nairobi, Kenya, in January 2023, SiGMA Africa is strategically positioning itself at the forefront of Africa’s burgeoning gaming landscape. With the continent’s market poised for exponential growth, driven by a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem and increasing mobile connectivity, SiGMA Group recognizes the need to foster collaboration and innovation within the industry. By bringing together leading stakeholders and visionaries in gaming, SiGMA aims to catalyse progress and propel Africa towards a new era of prosperity and opportunity. As the countdown to the event begins, anticipation mounts for what promises to be a landmark gathering of gaming enthusiasts and innovators in the vibrant city of Cape Town.

The fourth edition of SiGMA Eurasia will once again be held at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City. Held between the 25 and 27 February 2024, the summit provides invaluable opportunities for attendees to network with industry professionals, gain exposure to the latest tech and innovations in the sector, meet key decision makers, and gain insight into new markets.