The UK Security Service (MI5) has issued a warning about the growing threat posed by Chinese intelligence operatives who are using popular job search platforms to recruit British civil servants and military personnel.
According to UK intelligence, Chinese spies are particularly active on LinkedIn, as well as on Indeed and Upwork. Their goal is to gain access to secret or confidential information.
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance (United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand) has published a special bulletin detailing this aggressive online recruitment strategy. According to the document, officers from China’s military intelligence (PLA) create fake profiles, posing as recruiters for private companies, representatives of think tanks, or consultants.
“Spies use LinkedIn and similar platforms to make contact with individuals who have access to sensitive information and gradually exert pressure on them,” the warning states.
MI5 emphasizes that such tactics have become part of Beijing’s systematic campaign to gather intelligence through social networks and professional platforms. The main targets are government officials, defense employees, and serving military personnel.
Experts note that this recruitment method is relatively low-risk for the Chinese side, as the initial contact appears to be a routine job offer or consultation proposal, which lowers suspicion from the potential target.
Five Eyes recommends that public servants and military personnel exercise heightened vigilance when receiving unexpected job offers or collaboration proposals, particularly those coming from individuals linked to China.