DOJ arrests two, seizes 187 devices in North Korean laptop farm crackdown in Texas
The gist
The DOJ charged two Americans and indicted ten China-based people over North Korean laptop farms.
The case shows remote IT jobs being used to fund North Korea's weapons.
How it unfolded
- Sep 21, 2026 -25, 2026The FBI conducted searches and other action at more than 40 residences in Texas believed to be operating as "laptop farms" for North Korean IT workers, seizing roughly 187 laptops and other devices.
- Oct 13, 2026The DOJ announced the arrests of Michael James Bostelle of Pennsylvania and Juan Cecilio Pena Carrillo of Texas on charges of wire fraud, money laundering and identity theft.
- Oct 13, 2026An indictment was unsealed charging ten people based in China — Sun Sheng Ming, Pei Li Guang, Weng Shou Cheng, Han Guo Bin, Wang Jian Jun, Sheng Zhang Kun, Zhang Wei Ping, Zhang Li Ping, Yu Yang and Jin Long — for their roles in the operation.