A woman in Arizona has been sentenced to over eight years in prison for enabling North Korean operatives to secretly secure jobs at hundreds of American companies, possibly including some in the crypto industry.
Authorities say Christina Marie Chapman helped orchestrate a scheme that smuggled millions of dollars out of the U.S. by disguising foreign workers as remote American employees. Using a web of fake and stolen identities, Chapman facilitated their access to tech infrastructure, even mailing laptops overseas to maintain the illusion of domestic employment.
Over 300 companies were reportedly deceived in the operation, with Chapman setting up a “laptop farm” in her home and shipping dozens of devices to Asia. Investigators found more than 90 laptops during a 2023 raid, many of them tagged with fraudulent names.
The scam gave North Korean workers direct access to U.S. corporate systems and financial networks, funneling an estimated $17 million back to the regime. Some job applications even targeted government agencies, though none were successful.
While no crypto firms were named, experts warn that the industry remains especially vulnerable due to lax remote hiring protocols. Chainalysis reports that DPRK hackers stole over $1.3 billion in digital assets in 2024, often leveraging insider access.
Officials fear that many North Korean operatives remain embedded in global firms and continue to exploit the decentralized nature of crypto employment.
Alexander Stefanov
Reporter at Coindoo
Alex is an experienced financial journalist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain, and fintech industries, he is well-versed in the complex and ever-evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and in-depth content. Follow his publications to stay up to date with the most important trends and topics.