Overview
- Oleksandr Didenko, 29, received 60 months in prison with 12 months of supervised release, was ordered to forfeit more than $1.4 million, and must pay $46,547.28 in restitution.
- Didenko stole U.S. identities, created over 2,500 fraudulent accounts, and ran Upworksell.com to sell proxy profiles used to obtain roles at about 40 American companies.
- He managed up to 871 proxy identities and arranged laptop farms in states including Virginia, Tennessee, and California to make overseas workers appear U.S.-based.
- The Justice Department seized Upworksell.com on May 16, 2024, redirecting traffic to the FBI, and Polish authorities arrested Didenko in 2024 before his extradition to the United States.
- Officials and researchers warn the wider network remains active and is evolving with tactics such as using real LinkedIn profiles and AI tools, posing ongoing risks to U.S. businesses.