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6d ago

Arizona Woman Sentenced to Over Eight Years for North Korean IT Worker Fraud

The case highlights Washington’s push to crack down on domestic facilitators of foreign sanctions evasion; it has spurred new federal guidance on verifying remote employees

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U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. Jeanine Pirro in May 2025.
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Overview

  • Christina Marie Chapman pleaded guilty in February to running a “laptop farm” that hid North Korean IT operatives behind stolen American identities to secure remote positions at U.S. companies
  • U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss sentenced Chapman on July 24 to 102 months in prison, three years of supervised release, a $176,850 judgment and forfeiture of $284,555.92
  • Investigators say the scheme stole 68 U.S. identities, defrauded 309 domestic businesses and two international firms and generated over $17 million for the DPRK
  • U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and FBI officials warned that insider enablers pose a growing threat and urged firms to strengthen vetting processes for virtual hires
  • Following the verdict, the FBI and State Department released updated advisories recommending video-based identity checks and thorough credential validation for remote workers