Chinese spies are targeting UK government and military staff on job websites including LinkedIn to try to get access to classified or sensitive information, MI5 has warned. A bulletin released by the Five Eyes powers – the UK, US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand – highlights an “aggressive” online recruitment strategy where spies for Beijing military intelligence pose as workers acting on behalf of private businesses or think tanks.
They advertise for non-existent jobs such as foreign policy or defence analysts, before pressuring candidates to provide “non-public” information, the domestic intelligence agencies warned on Wednesday. Recruits are targeted on professional networking sites and online job platforms including LinkedIn, Indeed and Upwork as Chinese agents purporting to be HR consultants for legitimate-looking companies that appear to be located elsewhere in the world.
The document, published by ASIO, CSIS, FBI, MI5 and NZSIS, said: “China’s military intelligence services are using an increasingly wide array of professional networking sites and online job platforms to target Five Eyes governments and military personnel and anyone with access to classified or privileged information.”
Security clearance holders, especially those specialising in defence, foreign affairs and security and intelligence, are prime targets. Military personnel stationed in the Indo-Pacific region with knowledge of regional capabilities, as well as academics, journalists, freelance writers and think tank employees with links to defence, security, policy and economic sectors, are also at risk.
After posting adverts, agents scrutinise applicants’ CVs to find those with access to useful information. Interviews are conducted virtually with recruiters concealing their true identities, questioning candidates about government contacts or military activities. Job hopefuls are then asked to write trial reports on topics such as China’s relations with other countries, before being pushed for more sensitive information on encrypted messaging platforms. Recruits are paid between a few hundred and several thousand dollars per report via platforms including PayPal, Payoneer, Zelle, Skrill, Wise, Western Union, e-transfer and cryptocurrency.
The bulletin warns that anyone involved in the unauthorised disclosure of information could face prosecution for spying. A Chinese embassy spokesperson said: “The allegation of so-called Chinese espionage threat is entirely fabricated and constitutes malicious slander. We strongly condemn this.”
