The Lazarus Heist

BBC World Service•www.bbc.co.uk

Hackers, North Korea and billions of dollars. Lazarus returns – in fact, the criminals never went away. Season 2 begins at an ATM, possibly near you. With Jean Lee and Geoff White. Investigators claim a secretive, elite North Korean hacking ring, nicknamed the Lazarus Group, is responsible for the theft of billions of dollars around the globe. Pyongyang denies having anything to do with cybercrimes, saying the United States is making these allegations to try to tarnish its image. Season 1 told the stories of the Lazarus Group's alleged hacks on Sony Pictures Entertainment and Bangladesh Bank and the WannaCry ransomware attack.

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Episodes

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...

Oct 17, 2024•3 min

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

May 21, 2023•41 min

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

May 14, 2023•37 min

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

May 07, 2023•38 min

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

Apr 30, 2023•37 min

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

Apr 23, 2023•26 min

S2.4 Fire and fury

"Something was collapsing inside me.” A top North Korean diplomat questions his commitment to the regime. And an adventure ends in tragedy for the American student, Otto Warmbier. We hear from the doctor who joined the mission to bring him home from Pyongyang.

Apr 16, 2023•44 min

S2.3 Hushpuppi

A social media influencer is laundering cash for the hackers. Hushpuppi has expensive tastes and a luxury lifestyle. His paymasters? The dark web fraudster, Big Boss and the Lazarus Group cyber criminals, with alleged links to North Korea. Law enforcement is closing in. #LazarusHeist

Apr 09, 2023•39 min

S2.2 Big Boss

The hackers turn to the dark web and enlist an eager new recruit. “Big Boss” is key to the ATM heist but who is he? Meanwhile, the police in India continue to investigate and make arrests. #LazarusHeist

Apr 02, 2023•33 min

S2.1 Jackpotting

Millions of dollars are stolen from ATMs at the same time in 28 countries. An army of money mules stuff the cash into bags. Do they know who they are really working for? In just over two hours, the thieves take nearly $14 million - all from the accounts of Cosmos Bank in India. The hackers are back! #LazarusHeist

Mar 26, 2023•37 min

Season 2 trailer

The hackers are back – and they are accused of being more dangerous than ever. Their cyber-attacks are getting more sophisticated and audacious. It’s claimed they are getting away with billions. North Korea denies everything. With hosts Jean Lee and Geoff White. Season 2 launches on 27 March 2023. #Lazarusheist

Mar 13, 2023•4 min

Lazarus Heist live

A special episode recorded in front of an audience in New York. What’s it like working in North Korea? How are hackers tracked in real time? Hosted by podcaster and musician Dessa, with Jean Lee and Geoff White. Your questions answered, plus guests: Seohyun Lee, who defected from North Korea, and cybersecurity expert Michael ‘Barni’ Barnhart. #LazarusHeist

Oct 07, 2022•58 min

S1.10 Kill switch

A frightening global attack, hospitals in chaos and an accidental hero with a secret. A virus spreads from computer to computer in 150 countries, causing billions of dollars in damage. It’s the story of WannaCry and Marcus Hutchins. Please help spread the word about #Lazarusheist

Jun 20, 2021•45 min

S1.9 The Macau connection

“Dark arts”, murders and a place with a murky past. Breaking news: an unexpected interview with one of the middlemen. Please help us spread the word about #LazarusHeist on social media and leave ratings and reviews. Correction: This episode says that Kim Jong-nam was killed in 2015. The correct date was 2017.

Jun 13, 2021•41 min

S1.8 The multimillion mistake

A costly spelling error and “a fight in the bank” over $20 million. The hunt for a mysterious middleman takes us to Japan. #LazarusHeist

Jun 06, 2021•36 min

S1.7 Korean roulette

A car loaded with cash, fake millionaires and death threats – we’re following the money. After they hacked into the billion dollar account, it was time to gamble. The story moves to the Philippines. #LazarusHeist Please help us spread the word and leave ratings and reviews.

May 30, 2021•39 min

S1.6 Cyber slaves

A double life overseas and welcome to hacker hotel. There’s an ominous message from a friend - “I don’t think I’ll be coming back”. #LazarusHeist

May 23, 2021•40 min

S1.5 Cyber warriors

Surveillance, state control, executions and how to become a hacker. The FBI has accused Park Jin Hyok of being a hacker but how much choice do members of the Lazarus group actually have? #LazarusHeist

May 16, 2021•42 min

S1.4 Billion dollar hack

A faulty printer, an empty room and the most daring cyber theft ever attempted. The Bangladesh Bank heist begins. #LazarusHeist

May 09, 2021•39 min

S1.3 Superdollars

The Smoking Dragon, a fake wedding and a divorce party. And lots of counterfeit money. #LazarusHeist

May 02, 2021•33 min

S1.2 Disaster movie

“I was terrified.” Panic in Hollywood, careers ruined and helium filled balloons sent to North Korea. President Obama makes clear who he blames for the Sony hack. #LazarusHeist

Apr 25, 2021•37 min

S1.1 Hacking Hollywood

A movie, Kim Jong-un and a devastating cyber attack. The story of the Sony hack. How the Lazarus Group hackers caused mayhem in Hollywood and for Sony Pictures Entertainment. And this is just the beginning… #LazarusHeist

Apr 18, 2021•34 min

Introducing The Lazarus Heist

The most daring bank theft ever attempted? From hacking Hollywood to a billion-dollar plot. North Korea stands accused but says it had nothing to do with it and it’s part of the United States’ attempts to tarnish its image. Premieres 19 April 2021. A true crime investigation with Geoff White and Jean Lee.

Apr 08, 2021•3 min