Overseas adversaries together with Russia and China are concentrating on authorities staff who’ve been laid off amid the Trump administration’s try and downsize to recruit as spies, in line with new intelligence.
“New intelligence signifies brokers from China, Russia, and different international locations have set their sights on just lately fired probationary staff, or these with safety clearances, hoping to acquire priceless details about U.S. crucial infrastructure or nationwide safety pursuits,” in line with intelligence distributed by the U.S. Coast Guard to its workforce.
“These international intelligence officers actively search LinkedIn, TikTok, Reddit, and Chinese language social media web site Xiaohongshu — generally known as RedNote — for potential sources,” it added. “In not less than one occasion, a international agent was instructed to create an organization profile on LinkedIn, submit a job itemizing, and actively monitor federal staff who indicated they have been ‘open for work.'”
The Coast Guard didn’t develop the intelligence however moderately distributed it as a warning to Coast Guard officers all over the world.
On this Feb. 14, 2025, file picture, demonstrators rally in assist of federal staff exterior of the Division of Well being and Human Companies, in Washington, D.C.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP, FILE
“Posting about your frustration, standing as a just lately fired worker, or another OPSEC delicate info might make you a goal,” the discover mentioned. “Our adversaries have efficiently preyed on upset and disgruntled authorities staff throughout previous furloughs.”
Navy members might be enticing targets, in line with the intelligence, due to the knowledge they might have entry to.
The discover comes as two active-duty troopers have been just lately charged with conspiring to promote labeled materials to China.
The Coast Guard mentioned a telltale signal of international brokers making an attempt to recruit former authorities officers is one thing that’s too good to be true, noting that it most likely is.
“Your contact would possibly overly reward or focus in your expertise/expertise, particularly in case your authorities affiliation is understood,” it mentioned within the discover, including {that a} sense for urgency may be an indicator as properly.
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