Unmasking Deceptive Applications: Identifying Fake North Korean Candidates for Blockchain Engineer Roles

Introduction: The blockchain industry has seen rapid growth over the last decade, and with it, the demand for skilled blockchain engineers has skyrocketed. Companies around the world are constantly on the lookout for talented individuals to fill these roles. However, this boom has also led to a surge in fraudulent candidate applications, particularly from North Korea.

North Korea has been known to conduct cyber-espionage activities and to develop its own cryptocurrency projects. As a result, organizations must be cautious when reviewing candidate applications for blockchain engineer roles. In this blog, we'll discuss some red flags to help you identify fake North Korean applications.

1. Education and credentials

One of the first steps in reviewing any candidate application is to verify the authenticity of their education and credentials. North Korean candidates may provide degrees from institutions that seem legitimate but are actually fake. Be cautious of:

• Unfamiliar universities or institutions
• Degrees that don't match the applicant's claimed area of expertise
• Missing or inconsistent dates of attendance

To verify these credentials, consider reaching out to the institutions directly, or use online tools like the World Higher Education Database (WHED) to confirm their legitimacy.

2. Inconsistencies in work experience

Fabricated work experience is another common tactic employed by fake candidates. Look out for:

• Vague or overly general descriptions of previous roles
• Companies that don't have an online presence or can't be found through a simple search
• Inconsistent dates or gaps in employment history

Cross-check the information provided with public records, social media profiles, or professional networking platforms like LinkedIn.

3. Technical knowledge and skillset

A thorough technical interview can help uncover discrepancies in a candidate's claimed skillset. When assessing North Korean applicants, pay special attention to:

• Their understanding of international blockchain standards and protocols
• Familiarity with open-source blockchain projects and widely-used development tools
• Language proficiency, particularly in programming languages commonly used in blockchain development

4. Suspicious communication patterns

North Korean applicants may exhibit unusual communication patterns or avoid certain topics. Keep an eye out for:

• Unusual or inconsistent email addresses
• Frequent misspellings or grammatical errors, particularly for a candidate claiming to have high language proficiency
• Avoiding video or phone calls, or using low-quality connections to conceal their identity

5. Reference checks

Always conduct thorough reference checks for any candidate. For North Korean applicants, consider the following:

• Verify the authenticity of the provided references and their contact information
• Ask specific questions about the candidate's work ethic, technical abilities, and accomplishments
• Be cautious of generic or scripted responses, as this may indicate that the reference is not legitimate

Conclusion: While it's important not to discriminate against candidates based on nationality, it's equally crucial to protect your organization from potential risks associated with fake applications. By following these steps and maintaining vigilance during the hiring process, you can significantly reduce the risk of hiring a fraudulent blockchain engineer from North Korea.