Influencer Christina Marie Chapman has been sentenced to 102 months in prison for organizing a scheme that allowed North Korean IT workers to deceive American companies.
Complex Employment Scheme
Chapman operated what investigators called a 'laptop farm' from her home in Arizona, using stolen or borrowed identities to help North Korean workers apply for remote jobs. Her scheme allowed devices from U.S. companies to connect to operators based in North Korea, creating the illusion that work was being performed from within the U.S.
Over 300 Companies Deceived
According to the Department of Justice, at least 68 stolen identities were used to deceive 309 U.S. companies and two international firms. Some job applications even targeted U.S. government agencies, but those attempts reportedly failed.
Impact on the Crypto Market
While specific crypto companies were not named, the industry is at risk. North Korea has a history of using fake remote jobs to embed workers in Western firms, particularly in cryptocurrency startups.
This case highlights the risks in the digital economy and the scrutiny needed for remote employees, especially in vulnerable sectors like cryptocurrency.
