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Chinese spies use LinkedIn to target UK officials and military staff
TL;DR
Chinese spies are using LinkedIn and other job platforms to target UK officials and military personnel for sensitive information, according to MI5. They pose as HR consultants for fake job postings to pressure candidates into revealing classified data.
Key points
- Chinese spies target UK officials on job platforms
- MI5 warns of aggressive online recruitment strategies
- Fake job postings pressure candidates for sensitive information
- Recruits include those with access to British secrets
- Five Eyes powers issued a joint bulletin on the issue
Mentioned in this story
MI5Five EyesUK
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 has been released by the Five Eyes powers – the UK, US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand – highlighting an “aggressive” online recruitment strategy where spies for Beijing military intelligence pose as workers acting on behalf of private businesses or thinktanks.
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, targeting those with either direct or indirect access to British secrets.
Even if the applicant has no direct access to classified information, other details of government policy or military strategies and capabilities could compromise national security, the agencies warn.
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 government and military personnel and anyone with access to classified or privileged information.
“These actors use an aggressive online recruitment strategy whereby intelligence officers or their affiliates pose as employees of private consultancies, thinktanks or human resources firms, and place online job advertisements for foreign policy and defence analysts or similar.
“Successful candidates are pressured to provide ‘non-public’ information for unspecified clients who are associated with the Chinese government.
“China’s military intelligence services ultimately seek to acquire privileged military, political and economic intelligence that can provide China with a strategic and tactical advantage over the Five Eyes.
The type of workers who may be targeted include:
- Security clearance holders, especially those who specialise in defence, foreign affairs and security and intelligence.
- Military personnel, including those stationed in the Indo-Pacific region, who have knowledge of regional capabilities and general activities.
Q&A
How are Chinese spies targeting UK officials on LinkedIn?
Chinese spies are posing as HR consultants for fake job postings on LinkedIn and other platforms to recruit UK officials and military staff.
What types of jobs are being advertised by Chinese spies?
They are advertising non-existent positions such as foreign policy or defense analysts to lure candidates into providing sensitive information.
What is the significance of MI5's warning about Chinese espionage?
MI5's warning highlights the aggressive tactics used by Chinese spies to access classified information, posing a threat to national security.
Which countries are involved in the alert about Chinese espionage?
The alert involves the Five Eyes countries: the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
