The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has seized over a dozen websites that were allegedly used by suspected Chinese agents to recruit former and current American officials with security clearances. According to the FBI’s affidavit for the seizures, several unnamed people used the websites as a front for fake “consulting companies” to recruit individuals in the United States to obtain sensitive and possibly classified information in exchange for monetary payments.
Recruitment Efforts
The websites allegedly advertised for positions such as “International Affairs Analysts (Remote),” Defense Analyst, “Jobs for Ex-Military Personnel,” as well as generic “consulting” positions. The affidavit lists seven unnamed people who were recruited through the websites and says the recruiters asked for papers on various subjects, including China and U.S. relations, Iran, and the Israel-Palestine war — all while pressing for insider or exclusive information.
The FBI believes the people running the alleged scheme, who were all located overseas, were acting “wittingly or unwittingly” on behalf of the Chinese government. In a press release, the Justice Department noted the people running the websites “denied any involvement by any foreign government.” The websites were paid for through cryptocurrency and foreign banks. It’s unclear if any classified material was ever shared through the alleged plot.
Methods Used
The conspirators used identify theft, AI-generated photos and videos, and “relatively large payments for research reports” in their attempt to gain access to sensitive intel. Targeted recruits were hired through job postings related to topics of interest to the Chinese government on job search websites, including LinkedIn, Upwork, and other similar sites.
The conspirators allegedly copied information and photos from real companies overseas and used them on the scam websites, according to the affidavit. One of the websites allegedly contained testimonials from the fictional cast of the Anchorman comedy movie, including Will Ferrell’s character Ron Burgundy and Steve Carell’s Brick Tamland.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
