Latest news with #ChristinaChapman
Politico
4 days ago
- Politico
Arizona woman sentenced to 8 years in prison for hosting ‘laptop farm' for North Korean remote workers
The sentence is one of the largest handed down to a U.S. national for their role in the North Korean government-linked scheme. By Maggie Miller A woman in Arizona was sentenced Thursday to more than eight years in prison for hosting a so-called laptop farm that enabled North Korean cyber operatives to pose as remote IT workers at more than 300 U.S. companies. The sentence is one of the largest handed down to a U.S. national for their role in the scheme, which has brought in hundreds of millions of dollars for the North Korean regime. Christina Chapman was sentenced in the U.S. District Court after pleading guilty earlier this year in Washington, D.C., to charges including wire fraud, identity theft and money laundering. Chapman was also ordered to turn over around $284,000 in funds earned by these North Koreans and pay an additional fine of more than $175,000.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Unassuming Arizona woman helped Kim Jong-un fund North Korea's nuclear weapons
A woman duped more than 300 companies by stealing the identities of 68 US citizens and passed them on to North Korea - Christina Chapman raised millions for Kim Jong-un's country A woman has admitted to stealing the identities of 68 US citizens to pass them on to North Korea. Christina Chapman was jailed for eight and a half years after her elaborate scheme investigators called 'staggering'. The ruse saw Chapman stealing identities for foreign workers to pose as Americans and gain employment from October 2020 to 2023. From her home in Minnesota and Arizona, Chapman ran a 'laptop farm' using computers issued by US companies. Such was the scale of her operation, Chapman, 50, even employed two people to help her. In photos shared by prosecutors, rows of laptops were stacked on shelves with notes stuck to them which revealed the company and identity being used for each device. This gave the appearance of the North Korean workers being in the US. More than 300 separate companies were caught out by the scheme, with funds totalling over £12.5 million being generated which were sent back to North Korea and used for its nuclear weapons programme, officials said. A total of 309 companies were caught out, including Nike and other members of the Fortune 500 list. Officials have issued a stark warning to companies, advising them not to be duped by the scheme. US Attorney for Washington DC General Jeanine Pirro said North Korea is an 'enemy within' and is 'perpetrating fraud on American citizens, American companies, and American banks'. She added that North Korea used the cash it generated to 'to buy munitions to be used against us'. She continued: "The call is coming from inside the house. If this happened to these big banks, to these Fortune 500, brand name, quintessential American companies, it can or is happening at your company… You are the first line of defense against the North Korean threat.' The FBI, which aided the investigation, said North Korea has pocketed 'millions of dollars for its nuclear weapons program by victimizing American citizens, businesses, and financial institutions". It added: 'However, even an adversary as sophisticated as the North Korean government can't succeed without the assistance of willing US citizens like Christina Chapman.' Following her May 2024 arrest in Arizona, Chapman was handed a prison sentence of 102 months on Thursday after the 50-year-old pleaded guilty in February to aggravated identity theft, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Three North Koreans who were also charged had ties to the Munitions Industry Department in their home rogue state, the BBC reported. Chapman, whom prosecutors said insisted her work was "legitimate", pocketed the equivalent of over £131,000 for her part in the scheme. She was ordered to pay back, as well as around £211,000 that was profit destined for North Korea. Prosecutors said Chapman claims she did not know she was working with North Koreans. But this was disputed by officials, who revealed she sent 35 packages to the city of Dandong in China, which is on the border with North Korea. Packages were also sent to the UAE, Nigeria and Pakistan.
CNN
5 days ago
- Business
- CNN
Arizona woman sentenced in North Korean tech worker scheme
A woman in Arizona was sentenced Thursday to more than 8 years in prison for orchestrating a complex fraud scheme to help North Korean cyber operatives pose as Americans and obtain remote IT jobs at hundreds of US companies, including Fortune 500 corporations. The plot, described by the Department of Justice as one of the largest North Korean IT worker fraud schemes, used the stolen identities of 68 Americans, defrauded more than 300 US businesses and generated more than $17 million in revenue –– funds that could benefit the nuclear-armed North Korean regime, the department said in a release. Christina Chapman, 50, pleaded guilty in February after being accused of operating a 'laptop farm' from her home, where she 'received and hosted' company-issued computers on behalf of foreign IT workers to trick companies into believing the workers were living in the US. She was charged with nine counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. In its statement, the DOJ said North Korea has deployed thousands of highly skilled IT workers around the world, including to the US, to circumvent controls employed by US companies to prevent illegal hirings by enlisting the assistance of US-based collaborators. The DOJ said Chapman shipped 49 laptops and other devices to various locations abroad, including a city in China near the North Korean border. Authorities found more than 90 laptops in her home in an October 2023 search. Chapman also received and forged payroll records using stolen identities. Funds were deposited into her personal US accounts and then transferred to individuals overseas. Among the companies affected by the scheme are Fortune 500 corporations, a major national TV network, an aerospace manufacturer, an American car maker and a luxury retail store, the May indictment read, without naming the companies. Officials said that foreign IT workers unsuccessfully attempted to obtain employment at two US government agencies. The State Department and other agencies issued in 2022 a warning about schemes, where North Korean IT workers, posing as from other nationalities, offered to work remotely and applied for jobs in electronic gaming, IT support, and artificial intelligence, among other sectors. Some of these IT workers work closely with North Korean hackers, who are also a rich source of revenue for the regime, according to experts who spoke with CNN. About half of North Korea's missile program has been funded by cyberattacks and cryptocurrency theft, a White House official said in 2024. 'By directing its IT workers to gain employment at Western companies, North Korea has weaponized its tech talent and created the ultimate insider threat,' Michael Barnhart, a North Korea specialist at Google-owned cybersecurity firm Mandiant, told CNN in 2024. 'These operatives bypass sanctions by diverting their paychecks to help fund North Korea's nuclear program. Simultaneously, they're providing a foothold into major organizations for North Korea's more advanced threat groups,' Barnhart said.
CNN
5 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
American woman who funneled $17M to North Korea sentenced to jail
American woman who funneled $17M to North Korea sentenced to jail An American woman was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison for helping North Korean operatives infiltrate American companies. Christina Chapman previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. This is the latest in a series of charges and indictments related to the North Korean IT worker scheme in which North Korean operatives seek IT jobs at American companies to generate revenue for the regime and its nuclear program. 01:15 - Source: CNN Vertical Top News 17 videos American woman who funneled $17M to North Korea sentenced to jail An American woman was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison for helping North Korean operatives infiltrate American companies. Christina Chapman previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. This is the latest in a series of charges and indictments related to the North Korean IT worker scheme in which North Korean operatives seek IT jobs at American companies to generate revenue for the regime and its nuclear program. 01:15 - Source: CNN Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting? Tensions are rising between Thailand and Cambodia over a border dispute that dates back to 1907. CNN's Will Ripley explains how the conflict has escalated. 01:32 - Source: CNN CNN reports from Gaza aid crossing CNN's Nic Robertson is on the scene at the Kerem Shalom border crossing as aid agencies warn of rampant hunger caused by Israel's blockade of Gaza. Gaza's health ministry said on Tuesday that 900,000 children are going hungry, and 70,000 already show signs of malnutrition. Israel denies it is at fault and accuses Hamas of 'engineering' food shortages. 01:39 - Source: CNN Almost 50 missing as plane crashes in Russia Dozens of civilians are feared dead, including children, after a Soviet era passenger jet crashed in Russia's far east Amur Region. Burning wreckage was discovered by rescuers just 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Tynda airport, the plane's destination. 00:30 - Source: CNN Erin Burnett on the significance of Trump knowing he's in the Epstein files CNN's Erin Burnett explains how reports that President Trump was briefed that he is named in the Epstein files shine a light on his recent denials of that exact claim. 02:13 - Source: CNN Judge declines to release Epstein grand jury documents A Florida federal judge declined to release additional grand jury documents from the criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, marking the first roadblock in the Justice Department's efforts to quell the public backlash over the handling of the case. CNN's Evan Perez reports. 02:43 - Source: CNN Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison Bryan Kohberger has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murders of four University of Idaho students. 01:29 - Source: CNN Fans pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne Fans have gathered in Ozzy Osbourne's hometown to pay tribute to the former Black Sabbath singer, who died yesterday at the age of 76. One of them told CNN's Salma Abdelaziz that Osbourne will 'live on forever in his music.' 01:07 - Source: CNN Hot Chinese brands are coming to America Chinese brands like Luckin Coffee, Pop Mart, and HEYTEA are expanding in the United States, despite the ongoing trade war. CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich and Marc Stewart report from two different continents on why the companies covet American customers. 02:10 - Source: CNN Metal legend Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76-years-old Ozzy Osbourne, the hellraising frontman of Black Sabbath and reality TV star, has died aged 76. CNN's Stephanie Elam looks back at the legendary career as the Godfather of Heavy Metal. 03:05 - Source: CNN Newly uncovered photos show Jeffrey Epstein attended Trump's wedding in 1993 Photos from Trump's 1993 wedding and video footage from 1999 Victoria's Secret fashion show shed light on Trump-Epstein relationship. CNN's Andrew Kaczynski has the story. 01:31 - Source: CNN Missing child case from 46 years ago reopened A federal appeals court overturned the verdict of Pedro Hernandez, the bodega worker who was found guilty in 2017 of kidnapping and murdering Etan Patz in 1979. Patz was 6 years old when he disappeared on the first day he was allowed to walk alone to his school bus stop in New York City. 01:50 - Source: CNN US citizen among Druze executed in Syria Hosam Saraya, a 35-year-old Syrian-American from Oklahoma, was among eight men, all family members, rounded up and killed in an execution-style attack amid an outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria this month. The violence flared between Syrian Druze groups and Bedouin tribes in the Druze-majority Suwayda province. Video geolocated by CNN shows a group of men, Saraya included, being marched to their death. 02:04 - Source: CNN Epstein's brother vividly details relationship between Trump and Epstein Jeffrey Epstein's brother, Mark, tells CNN's Erin Burnett about his brother's 'very close' friendship with Donald Trump in the 1990s. 02:01 - Source: CNN Stephen Colbert addresses 'The Late Show' cancellation 'Cancel culture has gone too far,' Stephen Colbert told the audience as he began his first post-cancellation episode of 'The Late Show.' The host went on to fire back at Trump's Truth Social post celebrating the announcement by CBS. The episode also featured cameos by late night talk show hosts including Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, John Oliver and Seth Meyers. 01:24 - Source: CNN Fire tornado rips through Turkish forest Turkey's forestry ministry has released video of a fire tornado tearing through the country's woodland. Hundreds of wildfires have gripped Turkey this summer, as well as Greece and other Mediterranean countries. 00:33 - Source: CNN Breonna Taylor's mother speaks out on officer's sentencing CNN's Laura Coates speaks with Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor's mother, about the sentencing of former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison. He was given three years in prison for using excessive force during the deadly 2020 Breonna Taylor raid. 01:45 - Source: CNN
CNN
5 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
American woman who funneled $17M to North Korea sentenced to jail
American woman who funneled $17M to North Korea sentenced to jail An American woman was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison for helping North Korean operatives infiltrate American companies. Christina Chapman previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. This is the latest in a series of charges and indictments related to the North Korean IT worker scheme in which North Korean operatives seek IT jobs at American companies to generate revenue for the regime and its nuclear program. 01:15 - Source: CNN Vertical Top News 17 videos American woman who funneled $17M to North Korea sentenced to jail An American woman was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison for helping North Korean operatives infiltrate American companies. Christina Chapman previously pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. This is the latest in a series of charges and indictments related to the North Korean IT worker scheme in which North Korean operatives seek IT jobs at American companies to generate revenue for the regime and its nuclear program. 01:15 - Source: CNN Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting? Tensions are rising between Thailand and Cambodia over a border dispute that dates back to 1907. CNN's Will Ripley explains how the conflict has escalated. 01:32 - Source: CNN CNN reports from Gaza aid crossing CNN's Nic Robertson is on the scene at the Kerem Shalom border crossing as aid agencies warn of rampant hunger caused by Israel's blockade of Gaza. Gaza's health ministry said on Tuesday that 900,000 children are going hungry, and 70,000 already show signs of malnutrition. Israel denies it is at fault and accuses Hamas of 'engineering' food shortages. 01:39 - Source: CNN Almost 50 missing as plane crashes in Russia Dozens of civilians are feared dead, including children, after a Soviet era passenger jet crashed in Russia's far east Amur Region. Burning wreckage was discovered by rescuers just 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Tynda airport, the plane's destination. 00:30 - Source: CNN Erin Burnett on the significance of Trump knowing he's in the Epstein files CNN's Erin Burnett explains how reports that President Trump was briefed that he is named in the Epstein files shine a light on his recent denials of that exact claim. 02:13 - Source: CNN Judge declines to release Epstein grand jury documents A Florida federal judge declined to release additional grand jury documents from the criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, marking the first roadblock in the Justice Department's efforts to quell the public backlash over the handling of the case. CNN's Evan Perez reports. 02:43 - Source: CNN Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison Bryan Kohberger has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murders of four University of Idaho students. 01:29 - Source: CNN Fans pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne Fans have gathered in Ozzy Osbourne's hometown to pay tribute to the former Black Sabbath singer, who died yesterday at the age of 76. One of them told CNN's Salma Abdelaziz that Osbourne will 'live on forever in his music.' 01:07 - Source: CNN Hot Chinese brands are coming to America Chinese brands like Luckin Coffee, Pop Mart, and HEYTEA are expanding in the United States, despite the ongoing trade war. CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich and Marc Stewart report from two different continents on why the companies covet American customers. 02:10 - Source: CNN Metal legend Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76-years-old Ozzy Osbourne, the hellraising frontman of Black Sabbath and reality TV star, has died aged 76. CNN's Stephanie Elam looks back at the legendary career as the Godfather of Heavy Metal. 03:05 - Source: CNN Newly uncovered photos show Jeffrey Epstein attended Trump's wedding in 1993 Photos from Trump's 1993 wedding and video footage from 1999 Victoria's Secret fashion show shed light on Trump-Epstein relationship. CNN's Andrew Kaczynski has the story. 01:31 - Source: CNN Missing child case from 46 years ago reopened A federal appeals court overturned the verdict of Pedro Hernandez, the bodega worker who was found guilty in 2017 of kidnapping and murdering Etan Patz in 1979. Patz was 6 years old when he disappeared on the first day he was allowed to walk alone to his school bus stop in New York City. 01:50 - Source: CNN US citizen among Druze executed in Syria Hosam Saraya, a 35-year-old Syrian-American from Oklahoma, was among eight men, all family members, rounded up and killed in an execution-style attack amid an outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria this month. The violence flared between Syrian Druze groups and Bedouin tribes in the Druze-majority Suwayda province. Video geolocated by CNN shows a group of men, Saraya included, being marched to their death. 02:04 - Source: CNN Epstein's brother vividly details relationship between Trump and Epstein Jeffrey Epstein's brother, Mark, tells CNN's Erin Burnett about his brother's 'very close' friendship with Donald Trump in the 1990s. 02:01 - Source: CNN Stephen Colbert addresses 'The Late Show' cancellation 'Cancel culture has gone too far,' Stephen Colbert told the audience as he began his first post-cancellation episode of 'The Late Show.' The host went on to fire back at Trump's Truth Social post celebrating the announcement by CBS. The episode also featured cameos by late night talk show hosts including Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, John Oliver and Seth Meyers. 01:24 - Source: CNN Fire tornado rips through Turkish forest Turkey's forestry ministry has released video of a fire tornado tearing through the country's woodland. Hundreds of wildfires have gripped Turkey this summer, as well as Greece and other Mediterranean countries. 00:33 - Source: CNN Breonna Taylor's mother speaks out on officer's sentencing CNN's Laura Coates speaks with Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor's mother, about the sentencing of former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison. He was given three years in prison for using excessive force during the deadly 2020 Breonna Taylor raid. 01:45 - Source: CNN
