A joint warning about the methods allegedly used by Chinese intelligence services to recruit sources and collaborators in the West has been issued by the security agencies of the “Five Eyes” alliance, referring to the increasing use of professional networks such as LinkedIn and online job platforms.

The joint statement includes the FBI, the British security service MI5, and the relevant internal security agencies of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

According to the agencies, Chinese military intelligence services are implementing an increasingly aggressive online recruitment strategy, targeting government employees, military personnel, and generally individuals who have access to classified or sensitive information.

Authorities claim that Chinese intelligence officers or their associates pose as employees of private consulting firms, think tanks, or human resources companies, and post job advertisements for foreign policy and defense analysts.

Target: military and government information

According to the statement, Beijing seeks to obtain military, political, and economic information that could give it a strategic advantage over the alliance’s countries.

Particularly targeted are citizens of the “Five Eyes” countries who hold security clearances and work in fields such as diplomacy, intelligence services, national security, and the armed forces. The agencies also note that military personnel serving in the Asia-Pacific region are among the targets.

In addition, individuals with more indirect access to government information are also approached, such as academics, journalists, and employees of research institutes.

Payments even in cryptocurrency

Security services report that in several cases, the individuals approached are asked to produce reports or analyses in exchange for payment, which may range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

In some cases, payments are allegedly made via cryptocurrency, making transactions harder to trace.

The joint warning also states that military personnel may be questioned about their duties, the activities of their unit, the base where they serve, or even specific warships.

Authorities emphasize that they have already identified individuals involved in such activities, leading to criminal prosecutions, job losses, and revocation of security clearances.

Beijing’s response

The Chinese embassy in the United Kingdom rejected the allegations outright, calling them “completely fabricated” and “malicious slander.”

In its statement, it argued that the “Five Eyes” countries themselves have engaged in extensive espionage and intelligence-gathering activities worldwide.

“Their actions constitute the real threat to peace-loving countries,” the Chinese diplomatic mission said.

The “Five Eyes” alliance, which traces its roots to cooperation between the United States and the United Kingdom during World War II, is considered one of the most powerful intelligence-sharing networks in the world, with its members sharing sensitive data and threat assessments.