China’s intelligence agency has warned citizens to beware of “exotic beauties” who are trying to honeytrap them into revealing state secrets.
In a post on its WeChat account entitled “Hunting for beauty? You may become the prey”, the Ministry of State Security (MSS), revealed lurid details of how a man called Li Si was ensnared by foreign intelligence agencies who used attractive women to draw him into a compromising position.
“This was a premeditated and well-planned hunting operation. The foreign espionage and intelligence agencies have long been eyeing Li Si,” it said, describing how a tour guide in an unspecified location had invited him to an adult entertainment venue to pick up several women.
“The tour guide and luscious girls are hunters” linked to foreign spies, it alleged. “All the preparations were made in order to capture Li Si as prey and ultimately steal our country’s state secrets,” it added, urging high vigilance against such approaches.
Elaborating on the case of Mr Li, who it said worked for a state-owned firm, the MSS revealed that he was unaware he was under surveillance until “burly” foreigners stormed into his room and took photos of him naked.
The photos were subsequently used to blackmail him into leaking intelligence and handing over his laptop, which contained valuable classified information.
Deepening paranoia
The coercion apparently continued when he returned to China, the MSS said, adding that he became a “puppet” at the beck and call of a foreign spy agency and “caused immeasurable harm to China’s national security”.
Mr Li is now said to be facing trial in China.
The latest tale of downfall at the hands of overseas intelligence agencies appears to be part of a deepening paranoia within the Chinese security establishment about foreign espionage efforts.
Last year, Beijing intensified its efforts to root out spying by dramatically expanding its counter-espionage laws to give authorities more power to track and detain suspects.
The MSS has also upped its social media game to warn the public of the dangers.
Earlier this month, the agency unveiled its first comic series aimed at raising awareness of national security for younger audiences.
According to the Global Times, the brightly coloured comic is based on real cases of counter-espionage operations. The first episode features several excerpts where a person of Western appearance is being interrogated for suspected violations of the anti-espionage law.