The Lazarus Heist

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TRUE CRIME

“Almost a perfect crime.” The hacking ring and an attempt to steal a billion dollars. Investigators blame North Korea. Pyongyang denies involvement. The story begins in Hollywood.

18 AUG

Special: The biggest heist yet

$1.5 billion disappears in minutes. But what follows reveals North Korea’s expanding reach — from elite hackers to soldiers on the battlefield. The audacious attack was on the ByBit crypto exchange in February 2025. Investigators say North Korean hackers the Lazarus Group are responsible – the biggest heist in the history of crypto. With our hosts Jean Lee and Geoff White, we uncover how they pulled it off. But as Pyongyang’s cyber army is striking targets all over the world, North Korean soldiers have also been fighting on more traditional battlegrounds – siding with Russia in its war on Ukraine. We meet the South Korean correspondent who secured a world-exclusive interview with a North Korean POW. Does this all signify a turning point for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as his cyber operatives pull off increasingly daring heists and his military gain real-world combat experience fighting with the Russians against Ukraine? As Kim continues to ally with Vladimir Putin — a leader whose country possesses exactly the kind of nuclear expertise North Korea has long sought – is he more dangerous than ever? Meanwhile North Korea says it has nothing to do with the cybercrimes the Lazarus Group is accused of, saying the United States is making these allegations to try and tarnish its image. Our story is about more than money. It’s about where it goes, what it buys, and who’s fighting in the shadows.

56 min
17/10/2024 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Trailer: World of Secrets: Al Fayed, Predator at Harrods

Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed – former owner of one of the most famous shops in the world – is accused of rape and attempted rape by women who worked for him. For the full investigation, search for World of Secrets wherever you get your BBC podcasts. This is a story of power and control at the very top of British society. At the time of many of the alleged attacks, Mohamed Al Fayed was the owner of London’s luxury department store Harrods, and also the iconic Ritz Paris hotel and English football club Fulham FC. The BBC heard testimony of over 20 women. Harrods has condemned Al Fayed’s actions “in the strongest terms” and has told the BBC that “as a business we failed our employees who were his victims and for this we sincerely apologise.” Harrods says the organisation is different today to the one owned by Al Fayed, and it “seeks to put the welfare of our employees at the heart of everything we do.”

3 min
31/05/2024 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Trailer: The Six Billion Dollar Gold Scam

It was the biggest gold mine fraud of all time – a scam that devastated countless lives. But what really happened? Suzanne Wilton revisits the story that she just couldn’t let go of, to find answers about how the scam was perpetrated…and about the mysterious death of a geologist in the jungle. From the BBC World Service and CBC. To hear more, search for The Six Billion Dollar Gold Scam wherever you get your podcasts.

3 min
21/05/2023

S2.9 Big spenders

“Are you a North Korean hacker? Yes, I am.” Investigators say money from the Lazarus Group’s hacks is flowing into Kim Jong-un’s nuclear weapons programme. Can it be stopped? #LazarusHeist

41 min
14/05/2023

S2.8 Bitcoin bandits

From millions to billions: the Lazarus Group get into cryptocurrency. North Korea tries to infiltrate companies from the inside, posing as job seekers. “We had a North Korean on our payroll”. Can investigators stop them cashing out their digital loot? #LazarusHeist

37 min
07/05/2023

S2.7 Crypto comrades

It’s North Korea’s first crypto conference. Eight international tech experts decide to go but someone is watching. Their every move in Pyongyang is followed and they soon regret the trip. “I was put in handcuffs and taken to an interrogation centre.” #LazarusHeist

38 min
30/04/2023

S2.6 False flags

“He wrote me beautiful letters!” A “bromance” begins between President Trump and Kim Jong-un but how long will it last? The US president’s former security advisor, Ambassador John Bolton, reveals what happens inside the summit room when the two leaders meet face to face. Plus, the Olympic Destroyer hackers are finally unmasked – but who are they? #LazarusHeist

37 min
23/04/2023

S2.5 ‘Olympic Destroyer’

Hackers attack the Winter Olympics, during the opening ceremony in South Korea. Who is responsible? Fingers point to North Korea but it has joined forces with its neighbour and even sent a team. Why would they want to sabotage it? What’s going on? #LazarusHeist

26 min

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Geoff White

Host
Jean Lee

Host
Dessa

Guest

“Almost a perfect crime.” The hacking ring and an attempt to steal a billion dollars. Investigators blame North Korea. Pyongyang denies involvement. The story begins in Hollywood.