The Perfect Scam North Korean "Laptop Farm" Scams Target American Companies
Oct 10, 2025
Robert McMillan, a Wall Street Journal cybersecurity reporter, and Joe Hooper, an FBI agent, delve into the shocking laptop-farm scam linked to North Korea. They shine a light on Christina Chapman, a woman ensnared by the scheme while seeking financial relief. The guests discuss how remote work during the pandemic enabled these scams, with North Korean operators leveraging stolen identities to infiltrate U.S. companies. They also cover the investigation's evolution, revealing the alarming scale of these operations and the real-world consequences for unsuspecting Americans.
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From Homeless To Laptop Farm Operator
- Christina Chapman was homeless and living in a trailer without running water before being recruited online for remote work.
- She recorded TikToks about her struggle which later helped investigators find her laptop farm.
Hands-On Role In The Scheme
- Chapman received dozens of corporate laptops, powered them up, and configured them as if they belonged to remote employees.
- She also processed paperwork and used her bank account to receive funds for others.
TikTok Photo Leads To Investigation
- A TikTok image showed rows of laptops on IKEA-like shelves with Post-it names and a pink purse hanging off a top rail.
- That image helped FBI agent Joe Hooper identify the suspicious laptop farm setup.