Britain's MI5 warns lawmakers over Chinese spies posing as headhunters'

"Britain's domestic intelligence agency is warning the country's lawmakers and universities of espionage attempts by China using spies posing as headhunters, among other tactics. In a warning issued to lawmakers on Tuesday, Britain's MI5 security service warned Parliament that China was using spies disguised as headhunters to recruit parliamentarians, with two individuals reaching out on LinkedIn to conduct outreach at scale on behalf of the Chinese government."

"Earlier today, MI5 issued an espionage alert to Parliament and parliamentary staff to warn them about ongoing targeting of our democratic institutions by Chinese actors, Security Minister Dan Jarvis told the House of Commons on Tuesday. Our intelligence agencies have warned that China is attempting to recruit and cultivate individuals with access to sensitive information about Parliament and the UK government, said Jarvis."

"Beijing promptly denied the accusations, calling on Britain to stop its self-aggrandisement. We urge the UK side to immediately stop this self-staged charade of false accusations and self-aggrandisement, and stopgoing further down the wrong path of undermining China-UK relations, a spokesperson at the Chinese embassy in London said, adding that Beijing had lodged stern representations with the UK government."

MI5 issued an espionage alert to Parliament and parliamentary staff about ongoing targeting of democratic institutions by Chinese actors. The tactics include spies posing as headhunters, LinkedIn outreach, and fake job advertisements placed on recruitment platforms. Two individuals allegedly reached out on LinkedIn to conduct outreach at scale on behalf of the Chinese government. MI5 reported thousands of suspicious job postings intended to lure professionals into handing over information. Security Minister Dan Jarvis warned that universities face attempts to influence research and interfere on campus, and ministers will hold a closed event with university leaders to highlight risks of foreign interference. Beijing denied the accusations and lodged representations with the UK government.

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