An Arizona woman has been sentenced to 102 months in prison for her role in a wide-ranging scheme that helped North Korean IT workers pose as U.S. citizens to obtain remote tech jobs, generating over $17 million for the regime.
Christina Marie Chapman, 50, of Litchfield Park, was sentenced on July 24 after pleaded guilty in February to wire fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering conspiracy, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Chapman exploited more than 300 American companies and stole 68 identities to operate what the DOJ called a “laptop farm” out of her home, running over 90 laptops to make it appear as though the work was being performed in the U.S. She also shipped nearly 50 laptops overseas, including to China near the North Korean border.
She used the stolen identities to forge payroll checks, file false reports with the IRS and Social Security Administration, and funnel wages from U.S. companies into her own accounts before transferring the funds abroad.
“This scheme raised millions for the DPRK regime, compromised U.S. businesses and agencies, and stole the identities of dozens of American citizens,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, acting assistant attorney general of the DOJ’s criminal division.
The court also ordered Chapman to forfeit $284,555.92, which she attempted to route to North Korea, and to pay a $176,850 monetary judgment.
Officials say this case marks one of the largest known North Korean IT worker fraud cases prosecuted in the U.S. to date. The FBI and DOJ continue to investigate similar operations, warning that North Korean operatives often use stolen identities, fake emails and websites, and proxy networks to infiltrate companies and raise money for the country’s weapons programs.
“These actions reflect the extreme lengths North Korea will go to fund its illicit activities,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke.
An attorney for Chapman has not commented publicly.
