England, Britain – Britain’s domestic intelligence agency (MI5) has issued an urgent warning to members of parliament, advisors, and think tank analysts. It revealed that Chinese intelligence networks are using fake talent scouts to contact them, with the aim of recruiting them in exchange for “huge financial incentives.”
Authorities identified two key figures in these efforts as Shirley Shen, co-founder of the Internship Union, and Amanda Chiu, CEO of BP-YR Executive Search. They used platforms like LinkedIn to connect with their targets in a way that concealed their ties to Chinese intelligence.
MI5 indicated that the aim of these attempts was to gradually gain access to sensitive information about Parliament and British government operations. They exploited staff members’ relationships with elected officials. The list of targets included advisors to former ministers, government employees, and political analysts at leading think tanks, including the Tony Blair Institute.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said British intelligence agencies believe China is attempting to recruit individuals with access to sensitive information about Parliament and the government. He warned of the use of shell companies and fake job advertisements to lure British professionals.
The warning followed previous espionage cases against Britons accused of spying for China, allegations which the Chinese embassy denied, calling them “pure fabrication.”
The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, said that Chinese government entities were “relentless” in their attempts to influence parliamentary activities. He stressed the importance of all parliamentary staff being aware of how to deal with foreign recruitment attempts.
