China is recruiting Western military personnel via LinkedIn under the guise of recruiters, according to the WSJ
The United States and the countries of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance have issued their first joint warning regarding the activities of Chinese intelligence agencies, which are increasingly using LinkedIn and other job-search platforms to recruit current and former military personnel, civil servants, and experts from Western countries.
According to Western intelligence, Chinese agents pose as recruiters from staffing agencies, consulting firms, and think tanks, offering potential candidates jobs in international policy, defense, and security.
Initially, applicants are asked to complete what appears to be a routine test assignment—preparing an analytical paper on a topic related to China. Gradually, the tasks become more complex, and communication shifts from professional platforms to encrypted messaging apps.
Significant rewards are offered for completing such assignments, which can be paid via international payment services or cryptocurrency.
The main targets of Chinese intelligence agencies are:
- individuals with access to classified information;
- active and former military personnel;
- diplomats and government officials;
- scientists and analysts;
- journalists and research center staff.
The joint warning was prepared by the FBI, the British security service MI5, as well as the intelligence agencies of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
The intelligence agencies emphasize that many people may not even suspect that they have become targets of recruitment. At the same time, the transfer of even indirect information can pose risks to national security.
A statement from the UK’s MI5 emphasizes: “Certain types of data can cost the lives of soldiers on the front lines, undermine our economic stability, and interfere with democratic processes.”
Intelligence officials also reminded the public that knowingly collaborating with foreign intelligence services can lead to criminal liability for espionage and other crimes against national security.
Experts are urging military personnel, government employees, and experts to be especially cautious when receiving job offers from unknown recruiters on social media and international job platforms.
This was reported by The Wall Street Journal.
As a reminder, Russian intelligence agencies are attempting to recruit Ukrainian teenagers through online games, messaging apps, and social media to gather information and carry out sabotage. Often, the children do not even realize that they are effectively working for the enemy.
Russia is recruiting students into its unmanned systems units at at least eight universities and five colleges in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
