Software security

US Charges 14 People Over Alleged North Korea Laptop Farms

Two Americans arrested for allegedly helping North Korean IT workers infiltrate US firms, compromising 70+ companies. FBI urges stricter identity checks.

By Content Team

Oct 15, 2026

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Two Americans — Michael Bostelle of Pennsylvania and Juan Pena Carrillo of Texas — have been arrested on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft. Prosecutors say they helped run laptop farms: US homes where employer-issued laptops sit plugged in and loaded with remote-access software, so workers in North Korea can log in and look US-based.

The indictment charges 14 people in total — the two arrested, ten in China, and two whose names stay sealed. The scheme ran from 2019 to July 2025, allegedly generated over $3 million, and placed workers at more than 70 US companies in communications, cyber support, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. The FBI estimates North Korea keeps 85% to 90% of what they earn and spends it on weapons programs.

FBI agents searched 40 Texas homes between September 21 and 25 under Operation Lonestar Roundup, seizing 187 laptops and the switches used to drive them remotely.

The FBI wants identity checked from the job application through to the last day of employment, and flags remote monitoring software on company machines, downloads unrelated to the role, and bank accounts and home addresses that keep changing.

Source: SecurityWeek

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