FBI reported seizing about 187 laptops at 40+ Texas homes, Sept. 21-25, 2026

What happened?

1. The Justice Department announced enforcement actions in which 14 people were charged across two indictments and two U.S. nationals were arrested, according to the reports.
2. FBI searches took place at more than 40 Texas residences during Operation Lonestar Roundup, which ran Sept. 21-25, 2026, the coverage states.
3. Investigators reported seizing approximately 187 laptops plus KVM switching devices that prosecutors say facilitated the scheme.
4. Reports citing the Justice Department say more than 70 U.S. companies were affected by the alleged remote IT worker placements.
5. Prosecutors allege applicants used VPNs and proxy servers to appear U.S.-based, while American intermediaries received employer-shipped laptops and configured them for remote access.

The FBI reported seizing approximately 187 laptops that U.S. employers had shipped to people they believed were legitimate remote staff, during searches at more than 40 Texas homes between Sept. 21 and Sept. 25, 2026. Prosecutors allege the recipients were intermediaries who configured the devices for North Korean IT workers operating from abroad under stolen or fabricated identities. Reports citing the Justice Department say more than 70 U.S. companies were affected.

A machine summary written from the reports listed below; read them for the full account. How summaries are made and what is checked.