A Five Eyes document warning of China's spy recruitment through online job platforms, from the website of the UK Security Service (MI5).
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China's military intelligence agencies are recruiting spies through platforms such as the job search engine Indeed and the professional networking site LinkedIn. The Five Eyes intelligence alliance, comprising the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, announced this on June 5.
According to the alliance, payments sometimes reach tens of thousands of dollars per report and are made through services such as PayPal. The case highlights how China is using online services developed in Western countries to conduct intelligence operations.
Fake Jobs, Real Intelligence
According to the announcement, Chinese intelligence operatives pose as representatives of recruitment firms or consulting companies based outside China and post fake job advertisements seeking analysts specializing in diplomacy and defense. Applicants are initially asked to prepare "trial reports" on topics such as relations with China and security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
As the relationship develops, the operatives gradually request reports containing more sensitive information and shift communications to encrypted messaging apps. Payments ranging from tens of thousands to several million yen per report are made through online payment services such as PayPal.
Researchers and Journalists Targeted
Targets include not only government and military personnel with security clearances but also researchers, journalists and employees of think tanks.
The Five Eyes alliance warned that even publicly available information can become dangerous when combined with more sensitive data, potentially revealing a broader picture of member countries' policies and military strategies and putting front-line personnel at risk.
According to the announcement, several individuals who cooperated with Chinese intelligence have already been identified and now face criminal prosecution, dismissal and the revocation of their security clearances.
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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