Tennessee Man Arrested for Helping North Korea Secure IT Jobs to Fund Weapons Program

Matthew Isaac Knoot allegedly ran a scheme using stolen identities to deceive US and UK companies into hiring North Korean IT workers.

Knoot, 38, operated a 'laptop farm' from his Nashville residence, allowing North Koreans to appear as US-based workers.
The scheme funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars to North Korea's weapons programs, including weapons of mass destruction.
Knoot faces multiple charges, including wire fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy to launder money, with a potential 20-year prison sentence.
Authorities discovered the scheme after suspicious activities were detected on company-issued laptops sent to Knoot's residence.
This case highlights ongoing efforts by North Korean IT workers to circumvent international sanctions and fund the regime's military ambitions.