North Korea is believed to hold the world’s third-largest reserve of government-owned bitcoin, following a US$1.5 billion cryptocurrency heist linked to state-backed hackers.
According to cryptocurrency portal Bitcoin.com, North Korea’s government now owns 13,562 bitcoin, valued at around US$1.14 billion, based on data from crypto-security firm Arkham Intelligence.
That means it trails only the United States, which held 198,109 coins as of January, and Britain with 61,245 coins, according to Arkham.
On February 21, the Lazarus Group, a hacker syndicate believed to be backed by the North Korean government, stole tokens worth US$1.5 billion from Dubai-based trading platform Bybit, according to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. The hack has been called the largest cryptocurrency theft in history.
North Korea has trained an army of IT workers and hackers who operate at home and abroad. Photo: Shutterstock
Reports indicate that the tokens taken by the group were primarily ethereum, with a large amount later converted into bitcoin, according to Bitcoin.com.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) CID police registered a case against a Chennai-based cryptocurrency investment firm and its director for defrauding investors by promising high monthly returns.
Investors claimed that TFT Block Chain Services Private Limited, operating under the name Tycoon Fintech, defrauded the public by collecting investments ranging from ₹20 crore to ₹30 crore.
Video above: ‘News 5 Now’ — Top Stories from March 20, 2026 OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG) — The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a fraud scheme after a resident lost over $500,000. According to a Facebook post from the OCSO, the victim reached out to law enforcement and said he’d been contacted […]
The Fairfax Scam Jam unpacks two of the fastest‑growing threats: romance‑based investment schemes and cryptocurrency fraud. Scammers often initiate contact through friendly wrong‑number texts, dating apps, and social media, then spend weeks or months building trust. Once a relationship feels established, victims are encouraged to “invest” in cryptocurrency, gold, or foreign currency through fraudulent platforms operated by criminal organizations.
You’ll learn how these schemes operate step‑by‑step, the psychological tactics scammers use, and the financial and emotional devastation they leave behind. Presenters will share actionable tools for recognizing early warning signs, having preventative conversations with loved ones, reporting fraud, and recovering when possible. Whether you’re new to digital safety or a seasoned advocate, this year’s Scam Jam will give you the knowledge you need to stay a step ahead of scammers.
The 9th Annual Fairfax Scam Jam is a community collaboration between AARP Virginia and the Fairfax County Silver Shield Anti-Scam Program.
Resource Fair exhibitors will be on hand until 1 p.m.
Representatives from county, state and federal agencies will be available to answer your fraud and scam questions one-on-one.
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Complimentary lunch is provided to registered guests.