🇨🇳 Chinese intelligence services are increasingly using LinkedIn and other job platforms to recruit current and former military personnel, as well as government officials from Western countries. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing a joint warning from U.S. and allied intelligence agencies.
Source: Gazeta.UA
This is the first joint warning of its kind from the FBI, Britain’s MI5, and intelligence services of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, which are part of the “Five Eyes” alliance.
According to intelligence agencies, Chinese operatives do not present themselves as intelligence officers. They act under the guise of private companies, recruitment agencies, or think tanks and contact potential targets via LinkedIn, Indeed, and Upwork.
After initial contact, individuals are asked to complete a test assignment — for example, to prepare an analytical report on issues related to China. Later, the tasks become more complex, and communication moves to encrypted messaging apps. Payments for such work can amount to thousands of dollars and are made via PayPal, Zelle, Wise, or cryptocurrency.
The main targets are individuals with access to classified information, military personnel, diplomats, scientists, journalists, and think tank employees.
The warning emphasizes that at early stages people often do not realize the nature of the cooperation, but it can lead to criminal liability under espionage laws.
Intelligence agencies stress that information obtained in this way may affect military security, economic stability, and democratic processes in Western countries.