Cyber Hack
BBC World Service
They steal billions: Cyber Hack investigates the alleged cyber gangs and the heists and hacks they’re accused of carrying out. No one is said to be safe. From Hollywood studios, to international banks, from crypto exchanges to small businesses and health care companies, law enforcement agencies say they cause chaos around the globe. Who will be next? And where is the money going?Latest season: Evil Corp. The Russian Evil Corp is accused of being a family crime gang, responsible for stealing hundreds of millions of dollars. Law enforcement agencies say they are “the most pervasive cybercrime group to ever have operated”. No one is off limits – not even a group of nuns in Chicago.Previously on Cyber Hack: The Lazarus Heist. This hacking group is said to be behind the biggest crypto heist in history, stealing billions of dollars in the process. Investigators blame North Korea’s state-backed hackers The Lazarus Group, and say the stolen money is being used to finance its nuclear weapons and missile development programs. Pyongyang denies involvement. Among the Lazarus Group’s many targets are Hollywood’s Sony Entertainment and the Bank of Bangladesh. ATMs are cleaned out of money, while its operatives live double lives in a hacker hotel. But where does the money trail lead?
Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Oct 27, 2025 • 34min
Evil Corp: 2. Into the storm
Jim Craig, a rookie FBI agent, shares his gripping journey in tackling one of the largest cybercrime investigations involving the infamous Zeus malware. He recalls traveling to Ukraine to collaborate with local law enforcement over vodka in a dacha. Highlights include deciphering Russian chat logs, identifying key players like 'Aqua' and 'Tank,' and even using a pizza order to link a UK mule. With the help of international allies, Jim orchestrates a coordinated raid that could take down the entire operation, showcasing the thrilling intersection of law enforcement and technology.
36 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 39min
Evil Corp: 1. Zeus
Lawrence Baldwin, a former network engineer turned cybersecurity investigator, shares his thrilling journey infiltrating the notorious Zeus malware operation. He reveals the connection between lavish lifestyles in Moscow's underground and cybercrime. Lawrence discusses the challenges of tracking real-time conversations among hackers and how he directly warned victims about impending thefts. With tales of small businesses devastated by silent bank heists, he captures the gripping clash between cyber criminals and law enforcement's struggle to keep up.
Oct 17, 2025 • 4min
Evil Corp: Introducing Evil Corp
Accused of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars – Russia’s most wanted hackers. Just who are Evil Corp? In season 3 of Cyber Hack, we follow the years’ long trail with investigators as they try to track down the man alleged to be at the centre of it all, hacker Maksim Yakubets.Follow or subscribe to Cyber Hack, so you never miss an episode.
Oct 15, 2025 • 1min
The Lazarus Heist S2: A message to listeners
A message from Geoff White on changes you'll see to The Lazarus Heist podcast feed, which will now be called Cyber Hack, from the BBC World Service.
From this point on we're giving all series of this podcast the over-arching name of Cyber Hack. But don't worry, series 1 and 2 will remain as The Lazarus Heist, co-hosted by Geoff and Jean Lee.
And then we have a new series coming very soon, hosted by the BBC's Joe Tidy and Sarah Rainsford, looking at another alleged major hacking group.
You can listen to Cyber Hack, just as before, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.
Aug 18, 2025 • 56min
The Lazarus Heist S2: Special: The biggest heist yet
A staggering $1.5 billion vanishes in minutes due to a masterful heist by North Korea’s Lazarus Group, targeting the ByBit crypto exchange. As the heist unfolds, the geopolitical ramifications deepen with North Korean soldiers now fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine. A journalist’s gripping encounter with a North Korean POW sheds light on the realities of life in the secretive regime. With military tactics evolving and cyber capabilities expanding, Kim Jong-un's alignment with Putin raises alarming questions about future threats on the global stage.
May 21, 2023 • 41min
The Lazarus Heist 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
6 snips
May 14, 2023 • 37min
The Lazarus Heist 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 7, 2023 • 38min
The Lazarus Heist 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
Apr 30, 2023 • 37min
The Lazarus Heist 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 23, 2023 • 26min
The Lazarus Heist 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
