Linked In Spying

Chinese agencies are using fake LinkedIn profiles to ensnare politicians
By Tobias Buck in Berlin

Chinese spies are populating LinkedIn: The Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz released some of the fake LinkedIn profiles used by Chinese intelligence, including academics and consultants claiming to belong to established and reputable-sounding institutions, think-tanks and universities.

Chinese intelligence agencies are using LinkedIn to establish contact with German politicians and officials, according to a study by Germany’s internal security service.
The Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV) on Sunday released some of the fake LinkedIn profiles used by Chinese intelligence, including academics and consultants claiming to belong to established and reputable-sounding institutions, think-tanks and universities.
Some of the most widely used profiles show pictures of attractive young women and men who claim to be headhunters or project managers or assistants. 
The names and profiles released by the BfV include those of Lily Wu and Alex Li from the Center for Sino-Europe Development Studies, Laeticia Chen from the China Center of International Politics and Economy and Eva Han from the China University of Political Science and Law.
 A special project group set up by the BfV earlier this year found that some 10,000 German citizens had been contacted in this manner, though the agency said it believed the true number was significantly higher. 
 “Chinese intelligence services are using new strategies of attack in the digital space. Social networks, especially LinkedIn, are being used in an ambitious manner to gather information and for recruitment,” said Hans-Georg Maassen, the BfV president.
“We are dealing with a broad attempt to infiltrate parliaments, ministries and administrations.”
The information released by the German authorities follows a nine-month survey of social networks that began in January.
 “Establishing contact through social media has for some time been on the agenda of foreign intelligence services . . . Information about habits, hobbies and even political interests can be generated with only a few clicks,” the BfV said.
“Chinese intelligence agencies in particular are active on networks like LinkedIn.” 
 According to German media reports, the Chinese intelligence services used fake profiles to contact members of the German and European parliaments, as well as senior military officials and representatives of foundations, lobby groups and consultancies.
 Once contact was made, the Chinese spies would try to launch a professional exchange of views and information, followed by invitations to conferences and other events in China.