The FBI has seized 13 websites allegedly used by Chinese agents as fronts for fake consulting firms to recruit U.S. officials. The scheme targeted former and current government and military employees with security clearances, using job listings and AI-generated content. The seizure follows a recent Five Eyes intelligence warning about such tactics. A Chinese Embassy spokesperson called the allegations "malicious slander."
FBI domain seizures
- ▪The seized websites were allegedly fronts for fake consulting firms used by suspected Chinese agents to recruit U.S. officials
- ▪U.S. federal authorities seized 13 internet domains on or around June 10, 2026
Fake consulting firm recruitment tactics
- ▪Recruiters would pressure applicants for exclusive or insider information, asking for papers on topics like China-US relations
- ▪One of the fake websites allegedly featured testimonials from fictional characters from the movie "Anchorman."
- ▪The websites advertised positions such as "International Affairs Analysts" and "Defense Analyst" on job sites including LinkedIn and Upwork
- ▪The scheme targeted current and former U.S. government and military employees, particularly those with security clearances
- ▪The operators used tactics including identity theft, AI-generated photos, and copying information from real overseas companies
Chinese espionage allegations
- ▪It is unclear if any classified material was successfully obtained through the alleged recruitment scheme
- ▪The FBI believes the operators, who were located overseas, were acting on behalf of the Chinese government
Chinese government denials
- ▪A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington stated the "Chinese espionage threat" allegation is "entirely fabricated and constitutes malicious slander."
- ▪The Justice Department noted that the website operators themselves denied any involvement by a foreign government
Five Eyes intelligence warnings
- ▪The Five Eyes warning stated that China was aggressively using job platforms to target people for information
- ▪The seizures occurred a week after the Five Eyes intelligence alliance warned that China was increasingly using job platforms for espionage
Kevin Mallory espionage case
- ▪Kevin Mallory was initially recruited through social media for a purported consulting role, a tactic similar to the current scheme
- ▪Former CIA officer Kevin Mallory was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2019 for conspiring to transmit U.S. defense secrets to China
Story comments
Loading comments…