North Korea Infiltrated U.S. Tech Jobs Using Remote Workers and American Citizens

A recent Wall Street Journal investigation uncovered how North Korea has been secretly infiltrating remote tech jobs in the United States by using stolen identities and the unwitting assistance of American citizens. One of the key players was Christina Chapman, an Arizona woman who ran a “laptop farm” from her home, providing remote access to U.S.-based computers for North Korean IT workers posing as American professionals. Chapman was arrested in 2023 and pleaded guilty in 2025 to helping funnel $17.1 million in wages from over 300 American companies to the North Korean regime.

These operations not only violate U.S. sanctions but also help fund North Korea’s weapons programs. The remote workers, many of whom are highly skilled in tech, secured jobs in fields like software development, finance, and consulting using falsified credentials. Some reportedly attempted to install malware or access sensitive company data, raising significant cybersecurity concerns in addition to the financial implications.

U.S. officials, including the FBI, have warned companies to be on high alert for red flags, such as applicants refusing video calls or providing inconsistent personal information. The case highlights the growing sophistication of North Korean cyber operations and the urgent need for stricter identity verification and cybersecurity practices in the increasingly remote global workforce.

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Source: Wall Street Journal