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In a quiet neighborhood just outside Phoenix, Arizona, a woman led a double life that would astonish many. Christina Chapman, 50, transformed her home in Litchfield Park into a command center for North Korean cybercriminals. This was not a fictional scenario; it illustrated the lengths individuals may go to assist foreign adversaries.
Chapman’s operation, which lasted for three years, involved aiding North Korean IT workers in acquiring essential tools and equipment through deception. The implications of her actions were significant, impacting both national security and international relations.
The evidence
Under strict sanctions, North Koreans cannot legally seek employment with American companies.
To circumvent these restrictions, Chapman facilitated a scheme allowing North Korean operatives to assume the identities of American workers. By illegally obtaining personal information, including names and Social Security numbers, they infiltrated various organizations without raising suspicion.
The art of deception
Companies believed they were hiring remote employees based in the U.S., unknowingly onboarding North Korean agents. Chapman played a critical role in this deception, receiving over 100 laptops and smartphones shipped from numerous prominent U.S. corporations. These included major banks and tech giants, as well as at least one government contractor, all unaware of the operation’s true nature.
Once the devices arrived at her home, Chapman employed various technology to mask the operatives’ true locations. By utilizing VPNs, remote desktop software such as AnyDesk, and voice modulation tools, she created the illusion they were operating from within the United States.
In a particularly audacious move, she shipped 49 devices to various locations overseas, including multiple shipments to a city near the North Korean border.
The implications
Chapman’s fabricated employees actively participated in daily operations, from writing code to attending virtual meetings.
This elaborate charade enabled them to extract valuable technology and financial resources directly into the North Korean regime’s coffers. The FBI later estimated that this scheme funneled over $17 million in stolen salaries and services back to North Korea.
The consequences of exposure
While Chapman may have perceived her actions as helping friends, the reality was far more sinister. When human resources departments demanded video confirmations, Chapman ingeniously donned costumes and impersonated the supposed employees, successfully maintaining the facade for an extended period.
However, the operation began to unravel as investigators detected unusual patterns. An alarming number of remote hires all shared the same Arizona address, and company systems were accessed from locations that did not align with the workers’ alleged whereabouts. It was not long before law enforcement apprehended Chapman, leading to her arrest.
In July 2025, she was sentenced to 102 months in federal prison for her involvement in this extensive cyber infiltration scheme. This case serves as a stark reminder of how ordinary individuals can become embroiled in international espionage and cybercrime.
Ultimately, what began as a seemingly benign suburban lifestyle evolved into a major security threat, highlighting vulnerabilities in the digital age. From her living room, Chapman orchestrated a scheme that jeopardized U.S. interests and exemplified the lengths to which North Korea will go to circumvent sanctions and enhance its cyber capabilities.
