Five Eyes intelligence alliance issues joint warning on Chinese espionage targeting personnel via fake job postings

The Five Eyes intelligence alliance (US, UK, Australia, Canada, NZ) issued an unprecedented joint warning that Chinese military intelligence is using fake job ads on sites like LinkedIn to recruit government and military personnel. The "aggressive" campaign aims to acquire sensitive information for China's strategic advantage. UK officials urged vigilance, while the Chinese embassy in the UK dismissed the accusations as "malicious slander."

Five Eyes joint espionage warning

• ▪A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the UK called the accusations "purely false" and "malicious slander."
• ▪The Five Eyes intelligence alliance issued a joint warning about Chinese espionage targeting personnel via fake job postings
• ▪The joint bulletin from the Five Eyes alliance was described as "unprecedented" or "rare"
• ▪The Five Eyes alliance is comprised of the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand

Chinese recruitment via job platforms

• ▪Chinese military intelligence agents use professional networking sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Upwork to recruit personnel
• ▪The online recruitment strategy used by Chinese agents is described as "aggressive"
• ▪The agents advertise bogus jobs, such as foreign policy or defense analyst roles, to attract candidates
• ▪The Chinese agents pose as representatives of private businesses, think tanks, or human resources consultants

Targeted personnel categories

• ▪Other targets include security clearance holders, academics, journalists, and think tank employees
• ▪Targeted individuals include government and military personnel from the Five Eyes countries
• ▪Military personnel stationed in the Indo-Pacific region are specifically identified as targets

Sensitive information acquisition methods

• ▪Payments are made using platforms such as PayPal, Western Union, and cryptocurrency
• ▪The recruitment process involves virtual interviews and asking candidates to write reports on topics like defense or international relations
• ▪Recruits are paid between a few hundred to several thousand dollars per report
• ▪The objective is to acquire privileged military, political, and economic intelligence for China's strategic advantage
• ▪Even non-classified information is considered useful to Chinese intelligence when combined with other acquired data

UK government response

• ▪In November 2025, MI5 identified two LinkedIn profiles, Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, used by China's Ministry of State Security
• ▪UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis urged potential targets to be vigilant for signs of online targeting
• ▪The Five Eyes bulletin warned that unauthorized disclosure of information could lead to prosecution under espionage laws

Diplomatic engagement with China

• ▪UK Security Minister Dan Jarvis stated the UK will continue diplomatic engagement with China despite the espionage warning