American Woman Sentenced to 102 Months for Aiding North Korean Cyberattacks
Christina Marie Chapman, an American citizen, has been sentenced to 102 months in prison for her role in aiding North Korean IT workers to infiltrate hundreds of U.S. businesses. The scheme, orchestrated by the North Korean government, generated over $17.1 million and targeted businesses remotely.
Chapman pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to defraud the U.S. She helped North Korean IT workers pose as U.S.-based employees by running a 'laptop farm' from her Arizona home. This operation, along with the creation of false identities on U.S.-based freelance platforms by co-conspirator Oleksandr Didenko, enabled the North Koreans to infiltrate 309 businesses. The scheme ran from October 2020 to October 2023, with the aim of financing North Korea's illicit nuclear program.
The Justice Department unsealed charges against Chapman and Didenko in May 2024. Chapman was arrested in Litchfield Park, Arizona, while Didenko was apprehended in Poland. The FBI issued an advisory the same month, warning U.S. businesses about the threat posed by North Korean IT workers.
Chapman's sentence reflects the seriousness of her crimes. Her actions, along with those of her co-conspirators, facilitated North Korea's illegal activities. The U.S. government remains vigilant against such threats, and businesses are urged to enhance their cybersecurity measures.
