Chapman admitted to conspiring with North Korean nationals to provide them with stolen or borrowed identities of American citizens. These identities were then used to apply for remote IT positions at 309 US and two international companies between 2020 and 2023.
By presenting fraudulent documents to employers and US government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Chapman helped North Korean workers bypass employment verification systems and receive payments through US financial accounts.
Authorities seized more than 90 laptops from her residence, and evidence showed she shipped at least 49 devices to locations abroad, including cities near North Korea.
Chapman also helped launder funds through her own accounts, receiving wages and forged payroll checks under the stolen identities. These funds were funneled overseas, with some falsely reported to the IRS and Social Security Administration under the names of unwitting US citizens.
The Department of Justice described the case as one of the largest involving North Korean IT worker infiltration to date. US Attorney Jeanine Pirro emphasized the broader threat posed by such schemes, warning that North Korea’s attempts to bypass sanctions now reach into corporate America.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti described Chapman as a critical enabler for North Korea’s efforts to exploit American companies and financial institutions.
According to the FBI and IRS, the fraud not only financially benefited North Korea but also contributed to funding its nuclear weapons program.
Featured image created with DALL-E, Chart from TradingView
