Source: Fortune
Summary
Endorsed, a San Francisco identity verification startup, has analyzed over 11 million job applications and found that 47% of U.S. remote IT applications in 2026 showed high-risk patterns linked to North Korean fraud schemes. The company, co-founded by CEO David Head and CTO Kevin Fu, flagged applications from individuals posing as U.S. IT workers, often claiming ties to Texas, University of North Texas, and major tech companies like Amazon and Google. The UN has reported that North Koreans are forced to work in U.S. companies to fund the regime’s nuclear program. Venture funding for cybersecurity startups has declined, with deal counts falling 23.8% in the first half of 2026, according to PitchBook.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
North Korean fraud in U.S. IT jobs has risen sharply, with 47% of remote applications flagged in 2026.
Endorsed’s data shows scammers use U.S. cities, schools, and employers to blend in.
The company’s CEO co-founded it with a CTO who accidentally matched fraud patterns.
The situation highlights the challenge of verifying identities in a digital world.
Author: Evan Null
