Five Eyes agencies report Chinese military intelligence LinkedIn recruitment

Intelligence agencies from five nations released a joint notice stating that Chinese military intelligence services are using fake profiles and job advertisements on LinkedIn and other professional networking sites to recruit government and military personnel.

The notice was issued by the FBI along with the domestic intelligence agencies of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Britain. It said the activity targets individuals who hold security clearances or have access to classified information, particularly those working in foreign affairs, security, intelligence and defense.

Recruitment methods described The agencies stated that intelligence officers or their affiliates pose as employees of private consultancies, think tanks or human resources firms. They place online job advertisements seeking foreign policy and defense analysts and commission paid reports from those who respond.

Payments range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars and are sometimes made in cryptocurrency, the notice said. Military members may be asked about their roles, unit activities, home base or naval vessel.

“Military members may be asked about their roles and unit activities, home base or naval vessel.”

consequences The agencies said Five Eyes partners have identified individuals who engaged in these activities, resulting in criminal prosecutions, job losses and revocation of security clearances. The notice covers academics, journalists and think tank employees who may have peripheral access to government information.

The warning comes despite recent diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and its allies and Beijing. President Donald Trump met Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing last month, and Britain’s top diplomat visited the country this week.

Partnership background The Five Eyes intelligence partnership originated in U.S.-UK cooperation during World War II. The five nations share special access to each other’s intelligence and coordinate on security threats.