Ministry of State Security of China: foreign intelligence agencies recruit students for espionage
In recent years, foreign intelligence services have begun to more often recruit Chinese students in order to conduct espionage activities in China, and offers of remote high-paying part-time jobs or online dating are used as tricks, RIA Novosti reports
“In recent years, foreign intelligence services have targeted groups of our young students, using part-time jobs and online dating as tricks to recruit, lure and coerce some young students from our country to participate in espionage activities, including the collection of confidential information and other illegal activities, which has become a great threat to the national security of our country,” the source reported.
The Chinese government warns young people not to fall into the trap of foreign intelligence agencies that offer high-paying part-time jobs, as well as gifts, help and dinner invitations.
According to the Ministry of State Security, employees of foreign intelligence agencies primarily target young students, especially those who have access to confidential research data. ‘Employers’ can be represented by scientists from various universities, employees of research institutions and consulting companies who allegedly conduct ‘market research’ and ‘academic exchanges’. In order to find information, they provide young students with highly paid part-time jobs, use vague formulations to describe the content of the assignment, which misleads inexperienced students, tricking them into a trap.
When young Chinese students show interest in the offer, they are contacted and provided with a free ‘study guide’ via social media, phone calls or video conferences. Employees of foreign special services also ask questions, provide assistance, show attentiveness, solve students' problems, and sometimes even disguise themselves as a caring guy or girl in order to lure young students into a ‘love trap’.
After establishing a sufficient level of trust, intelligence officers begin to manipulate gullible students, forcing them to participate in illegal activities, including the collection of internal research data, photographing military zones.
The Ministry of State Security of China emphasises that students should remain vigilant and common sense when looking for part-time work or online acquaintances, and also reminds that individuals and organisations reporting espionage or making a significant contribution to counterintelligence activities will receive encouragement.
It is not indicated in the statement which countries' intelligence services are engaged in this activity.
