Latest news with #MarlonWilliams
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
4 North Korean agents infiltrated Atlanta man's business as remote workers, gaining his trust — then stole $1M
It sounds like the plot of an action-thriller, but for one Atlanta tech entrepreneur, an elaborate cryptocurrency theft involving North Korean assets became his reality. 'It felt like I was in a movie,' Marlon Williams told Channel 2 News (WSB-TV). 'That's where we see these things, right?' Rather than a phishing scam with criminals pretending to be a bank or government agency and requiring payment in cryptocurrency to 'solve' an 'urgent' issue, this was a long con orchestrated over two years. Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Williams thought he had hired remote IT workers for his Atlanta-based blockchain research and development company, Starter Labs. Instead, the 'workers' were North Korean nationals using stolen identities, according to the FBI. After gaining his trust, they were able to infiltrate the business, eventually making off with just over $1 million in cryptocurrency. The unfolding of a long con Four men — Kim Kwang Jin, Kang Tae Bok, Jong Pong Ju and Chang Nam Il — have been indicted on charges of wire fraud and money laundering, according to a now unsealed federal criminal indictment. This is part of a larger investigation by the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) into North Korea's so-called remote IT worker program in which skilled North Korean agents infiltrate American companies using a mix of stolen and fake identities. Using the stolen identities of at least 80 Americans, North Korean agents have been able to find remote work at more than 100 American companies and then steal and launder virtual currency, according to the DOJ. This money is used to generate revenue for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), including its weapons program. Williams was one of those targets. He hired one of the men — who reached out through the Telegram app via a fake identity — to work on a project. Williams was impressed with his work, telling Channel 2 News he was 'super-duper talented.' So Williams hired him for more projects, eventually promoting him to the role of chief technology officer and allowing him to hire additional staff. The con took place over about two years during which time he gained Williams' trust. 'He had the power to create malicious code that he installed and that allowed him to withdraw the funds completely,' Williams said. 'The threat posed by DPRK operatives is both real and immediate. Thousands of North Korean cyber operatives have been trained and deployed by the regime to blend into the global digital workforce and systematically target U.S. companies,' U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Leah B. Foley said in a statement. The investigation into North Korean criminal activity has so far resulted in an arrest, two indictments, searches of 29 'laptop farms' across 16 states and 'the seizure of 29 financial accounts used to launder illicit funds and 21 fraudulent websites,' according to the DOJ. The four North Koreans are now wanted by the FBI, but they're not in the U.S. They were allegedly working out of the United Arab Emirates with North Korean travel documents. As for their victims? It's incredibly difficult to recover virtual currency and there's usually no insurance for lost or stolen cryptocurrencies. Read more: Americans are 'revenge saving' to survive — but millions only get a measly 1% on their savings. How to protect yourself from crypto risks When it comes to cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, industry regulations are still being developed. Since crypto doesn't require an intermediary (like a bank), it can also be used by criminals to hide their activities. While we could see the passage of the GENIUS Act in the second half of 2025 — designed to regulate the digital currency industry — some critics say it will make the financial system less stable. As an asset class, it's considered to be volatile since its value is often based on market sentiment. For investors, that means it can offer big rewards, but it can also result in big losses. Many financial advisors consider it a 'discretionary' investment — meaning don't invest what you can't afford to lose. Cryptocurrencies aren't like stocks — or even cold, hard cash, for that matter. The money in your bank account is regulated and insured, but there's no enforceable regulations or insurance for lost or stolen cryptocurrencies. 'Cryptocurrency held in accounts is not insured by a government like U.S. dollars deposited into an FDIC insured bank account. If something happens to your account or cryptocurrency funds — for example, the company that provides storage for your wallet goes out of business or is hacked — the government has no obligation to step in and help get your money back,' warns the Federal Trade Commission. For individuals, staying safe means keeping your wallet keys private. Ignore cold calls about crypto investment opportunities and any 'too good to be true' offers. If you're experiencing high-pressure tactics, keep in mind that fraudsters often use a sense of urgency as part of their scam. For businesses, FBI Atlanta suggests using additional layers of scrutiny in the hiring process for remote IT workers. Specifically, the FBI recommends using identity-verification processes 'during interviewing, onboarding and throughout the employment of any remote worker,' as well as cross-checking HR systems for other applicants with the same resume content. In addition, 'complete as much of the hiring and onboarding process as possible in person.' That's something Williams is considering. 'Going back to the fundamentals of business, meeting you face-to-face and looking in your eye, shaking your hand, that really matters," he told Channel 2 News, "even in these new industries that are developing." If you suspect you're the victim of a similar scam, report the activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of 'massive unemployment' in the US due to the 'biggest change' in history — and says this 1 group of 'smart' Americans will get hit extra hard. Are you one of them? How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you'll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Solve the daily Crossword
ABC News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Marlon Williams guest programs rage
Singer-songwriter, actor, and absolute delight, Marlon Williams is guest programming rage this weekend. It's been 10 years since the Aotearoa artist released his debut self-titled solo album which landed him on the Australian ARIA and New Zealand album charts. Since then, Williams has been busy touring, scoring acting gigs in movies and TV shows like A Star Is Born , True History of the Kelly Gang , and Lone Wolf , earning top nods at the APRA, Aotearoa, and New Zealand music awards, and, of course, releasing more records – most recently his fourth studio album, Te Whare Tīwekaweka. Released earlier this year, the stunning record is sung entirely in te reo Māori as part of his journey to reconnect with his ancestral tongue, family, friends, and hometown of Lyttelton. And now, Marlon Williams is sharing some of that journey with us as he jumps on the red couch for his first full length rage hosting and lines up music videos that have shaped his life and a sample of what's in store: CHRIS ISAAK - Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing PATEA MAORI CLUB - Poi E WAXAHATCHEE & MJ LENDERMAN - Right Back To It LAURA JEAN - Touchstone THE BATS - Loline So join Marlon Williams as he guest programs rage this Saturday July 19 from 10:30am and 11:31pm on ABC TV.
The Spinoff
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
How to turn your flash off before going to a concert
After being continuously blinded at Marlon Williams, Alex Casey makes a plea. When I was up in Auckland for the recent media awards, I humiliated myself at the bar afterwards by not knowing how to turn the torch on my phone off. In my defence it was a new phone and it was long after midnight, but the image of everyone screaming like ET in the cornfield, blinded by the harsh unwelcome light, is forever seared into my memory. Thankfully my Gen Z colleague gently took the phone off me, did some speedy swiping, and I vowed to brush up on how to actually use my phone when I returned home the next day. But on Friday night at the Marlon Williams concert in Ōtautahi's town hall, I found myself lost in ET's cornfield of horrors once more – this time on the receiving end of endless unwanted flash photography. When Williams joined opening act KOMMI onstage in a tracksuit for a spirited and spooky rap number, I was busy seeing stars in my peripherals as everyone flashed for their lives. When he later returned to sing 'E Mawehe Ana Au' acapella, his single spotlight clearly wasn't enough for those whose phone cameras again popped off like the paparazzi. I understand that, just like me confused that night in a Ponsonby bar, not everyone understands the scary inner workings of their phone. My own father takes a huge amount of pride in every notification he receives provoking a sound and light extravaganza rivalled only by the Fountains of Bellagio, but even he would tell you that in-phone flash photography at a dark concert is going to a) look unbelievably terrible and b) distract everyone around you. There's a reason why so many venues explicitly state no flash photography in their FAQs. In this climate, we must also consider the cost of a blinding flash. We spent $253.60 on two tickets. The concert lasted around two hours excluding the interval, so let's say the performance cost $2.11 a minute, or 0.035 cents a second. After a brief experiment in a darkened wardrobe, the average iPhone flash takes around 2.7 seconds to complete its sparkling symphony – that's 0.091 cents per flash. Therefore, being subjected to even a conservative estimate of 10 flashes, is equivalent to the cost of three dried apricots, or a granny smith apple, or a tin of tomatoes. If you don't know how to turn the flash off on your phone, there's a really easy way to remember how to do it that doesn't even require Google or your AI therapist. Millennials: look for the symbol found on Harry Potter's forehead. Gen X: look for the symbol found between the AC and the DC. Boomers: look for the symbol found on the nearest public defibrillator. Press that symbol so the background becomes transparent, much like the ghosts lingering around you who do not want to be caught by flash photography. Congrats, you have turned off your flash. And while I'm here, here's some other housekeeping you can do to ease the experience of those around you at a concert. Turn your screen brightness down as low as it can go and make sure your photo app is easily accessible – I cannot believe how many times I watched a frenzied woman swipe through Trade Me, Airbnb et al to take 900 blurry snaps of Marlon. Rather than stick your phone up in the air and snap with reckless abandon, keep your phone closer to you and embrace the tilt – you'll be steadier and can actually see what you are taking photos of. I know I sound like a Larry David wannabe here, but it's also just about respect. Making the decision to venture out anywhere these days comes at an enormous mental, physical, emotional and financial cost, and the very least we can do is be polite to each other until we can all go home to post our terrible blurry photos and videos all over Instagram and then never look at any of them ever again. Until we all find ourselves somehow at yet another Coldplay concert, let's all just try and keep the flashes to a minimum.
Wall Street Journal
30-06-2025
- Wall Street Journal
He Thought an Employee Stole Crypto. The FBI Says It Was a North Korean Scammer.
At first, Pemba Sherpa seemed like a great employee. Eager to work, he began as a $35-an-hour coder who sharpened up an app for his boss, Marlon Williams. But a few years later, Williams fired him, thinking he was probably a crook. On Monday, federal authorities accused him of being something even more nefarious. According to court filings and cyber investigators, the man claiming to be Sherpa was actually Kim Kwang Jin, a North Korean cybercriminal using a stolen identity. He was part of a group of men who traveled the world looking for ways to make money for their heavily sanctioned government. Their methods of choice were drawing paychecks and stealing from their employers.
The Spinoff
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
Event noticeboard: A waka, a harp and an auction of treasures
The Spinoff's top picks of events from around the motu. I am having one of those elusive weeks where my cup feels full. The darkest days are behind us. The weekend was long. The sun rose and I got to see Marlon Williams perform. A gift arrived for me in the post. A friend called and the sun was shining. I've even cleaned my house. There has been a series of reminders that despite all our flaws humans can and do make beautiful things and we offer them up to each other. Is there anything more sweet than that? Here are a few offerings to fill your cup this week. Exhibition: Ruruku by Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki waka club Hocken Collections, 90 Anzac Avenue, Central Dunedin 10am – 5pm Tuesday – Saturday until August 2 Free On May 19, a waka with a bright yellow nylon sail set out from Back Beach, Port Chalmers towards the Dunedin Marina. When it arrived, it was loaded onto a trailer and taken to the Hocken Library. There it was taken inside, where it will sit until August as part of an exhibition. The waka, named Kuramātakitaki, is the third traditionally inspired waka made by community and whānau based waka club, Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki. The exhibition tells the story of the club and celebrates the the revival of waka traditions in the 21st century. Alongside Kuramātakitaki are photographs and objects. If you're lucky, there may just be weavers at work in the gallery when you visit. They are working on te rā harakeke (flax sail) for the waka. Perhaps that will be the sail it uses for its homewards journey. Turner Centre, 43 Cobham Rd, Kerikeri 12pm and 6pm Saturday, June 28 $40 'A craft beer adventure like no other'. Whangārei Wairau Māori Art Gallery, 81 Dent Street, Whangārei 10am – 4pm daily, until July 27 Free Tā, Tau reflects Harrington's contemplation of her contribution to landscape art. The work mixes space, colour and material in innovative ways. Tāmaki Makaurau Leading curator, writer and researcher Megan Tamati-Quennell will talk about the current survey of an important Māori artist who has been largely overlooked. Hamilton Concert Chamber, Gallagher Academy, University of Waikato, Knighton Road 6:30pm Sunday, June 29 $0-$35 A feast of beloved arias to warm your soul. Gisborne Visual art: Hau Kainga Tairāwhiti Museum, 10 Stout Street, Gisborne 10am – 4pm Monday – Saturday, 1:30pm – 4pm Sunday $0 – $5 Intricate fibre artworks by three artists from Te Aitanga a Hauiti that blend traditional Māori weaving with contemporary artistic expression. New Plymouth Te Whanganui-a-Tara Music: Palestine Relief Gig Underworld Tavern, 13 Pirie Street, Mount Victoria, Wellington 6:30pm Saturday, June 28 $20 It is very hard to read some of these band names which leads me to believe this is a heavy metal or punk show. Fun! Nelson Ceramics: Mana Māna The Nelson Provincial Museum, 270 Trafalgar Street, Nelson 10am – 5pm weekdays, 10am – 4:30pm weekends, until July 13 Free Local artist Kim Ireland (Tūhourangi, Tapuika, Korea) has been inspired by gourds to explore the connection between wāhine and tīpuna wahine. Hokitika Thomas Loefke playing the Celtic harp, accompanied by photographs he took on the North Atlantic islands. Lyttelton The Lyttelton Arts Festival is here and there's a gig for kids! Ōtepoti Film, talk: Climate Change Cinema, Max Quinn Olveston Historic Home, 42 Royal Terrace, North Dunedin 6pm Wednesday, July 2 Pay as you can As part of the International Science Festival, Max Quinn, natural history documentary director, will share his experiences from his global career. Bring your keep cup for a hot beverage.
