The Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which includes Britain, has issued a warning about Chinese spies using professional networking sites like LinkedIn to target UK government and military personnel. The spies pose as recruiters for thinktanks or private businesses, advertising non-existent jobs to lure individuals with access to classified or sensitive information.
Aggressive Recruitment Strategy
The bulletin, released by MI5, the FBI, ASIO, CSIS, and NZSIS, highlights an aggressive online recruitment strategy. Chinese military intelligence officers or their affiliates pose as employees of private consultancies, thinktanks, or HR firms. They place job advertisements for roles such as foreign policy or defence analysts on platforms including LinkedIn, Indeed, and Upwork.
Once candidates apply, the agents scrutinise CVs to identify those with access to useful information. Virtual interviews are conducted, with recruiters concealing their true identities and questioning applicants about government contacts or military activities. Candidates are then asked to write trial reports on topics like China's foreign relations or defence, before being pressured to provide non-public information via encrypted messaging apps.
Targets and Payment
The type of workers targeted include security clearance holders, military personnel (especially those stationed in the Indo-Pacific), academics, journalists, freelancers, thinktank employees, and anyone with links to defence, security, policy, or economic sectors. Recruits are paid between a few hundred and several thousand dollars per report via PayPal, Payoneer, Zelle, Skrill, Wise, Western Union, e-transfer, or cryptocurrency.
The agencies warn that even if applicants lack direct access to classified data, details of government policy or military strategies could compromise national security. Anyone involved in unauthorised disclosure of information could face prosecution for spying.
MI5 has previously warned about Chinese spies using LinkedIn to recruit Britons, with at least 20,000 people approached with potential job offers. The Five Eyes alliance urges vigilance and reporting of suspicious activity.
