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The headquarters building of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., United States. / EPA·Yonhap.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced on June 10 (local time) that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized 13 websites allegedly used by suspected Chinese operatives to recruit current and former U.S. officials with security clearances.

According to CNN, affidavits attached to the FBI’s search warrant stated that unidentified individuals disguised the sites as consulting firms to recruit Americans, offering financial compensation in exchange for sensitive or potentially classified information.

The sites advertised positions such as remote international affairs analysts, defense analysts, former military personnel, and general consulting roles.

The affidavit mentioned seven unidentified individuals believed to have been recruited. The organizers reportedly asked them for reports on U.S.–China relations and Middle East conflicts, probing for insider or exclusive information. It remains unclear whether classified material was leaked.

The FBI believes the scheme’s organizers are all overseas and acted, knowingly or unknowingly, on behalf of the Chinese government. The individuals denied any government ties.

Operating costs for the sites were paid through cryptocurrency and foreign banks, with funds transferred to recruits’ accounts under various labels.

The FBI explained that the recruiters used stolen identities and AI‑generated photos and videos to gain access to sensitive information, paying relatively large sums for research reports.

They also posted job ads on platforms such as LinkedIn and Upwork related to areas of interest to the Chinese government.

The fake sites even used stolen information and photos from real foreign companies. Among the seized sites were endorsements attributed to fictional characters Ron Burgundy (played by Will Ferrell) and Brick Tamland (played by Steve Carell) from the film Anchorman.

A report released last year by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) noted that foreign actors were attempting to recruit federal officials, allegedly exploiting the Trump administration’s large‑scale downsizing plans.

CNN obtained NCIS documents indicating that at least one foreign intelligence agent instructed a conspirator to create a company profile on LinkedIn and post job ads, specifically targeting federal officials marked as “open to work.”

                                                                                                             Kim Hyun‑min