‘Don’t become a target’ of Chinese intelligence, CSIS warns Canadians
Global News
CSIS has detailed how targets inside and outside of China are 'approached and cultivated' online by proxies of the People's Republic of China's Intelligence Services.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) issued a rare public warning Tuesday detailing how it says China’s intelligence service is targeting and recruiting Canadian citizens to supply information to Beijing.
The allegation comes as Canada continues to reckon with Chinese interference in the country, which has ranged from allegations of meddling in elections to using so-called “police stations” to monitor and threaten Chinese nationals or those with family in China.
In a Twitter thread, CSIS explained how targets inside and outside of China are “approached and cultivated” online by proxies of the People’s Republic of China’s Intelligence Services (PRCIS).
“They identify people who are actively looking for jobs in strategic sectors or who have high-value credentials,” the agency wrote.
The target is then approached on Linkedin by the PRCIS proxy who poses as a human resources recruiter or security consultant. After establishing contact, the recruiter will move the conversation to WeChat, WhatsApp, email or another secondary platform “at the earliest opportunity.”
CSIS said the target will then be asked to write reports for “consultants” in exchange for payment, and later meet in person or virtually with the “client” allegedly receiving the reports.
“Both the consultant and the client are in fact (Chinese) intelligence officers,” CSIS said.