The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned US students studying abroad to be aware of a foreign intelligence threat on Monday.

In a report on its website, the FBI said that American students who study abroad have become tempting and vulnerable targets for recruitment by foreign intelligence officers who intend to gain access to sensitive or classified information about the US.

There were more than 280,000 American students studying overseas last year, according to the Institute of International Education.

To help educate college students who are preparing to study abroad, the FBI posted a video on its website showing Glenn Duffie Shriver, a Michigan resident and former college student, being recruited to apply for jobs with the State Department and the CIA.

Shriver was sentenced to federal prison in the US three years ago for attempting to provide national defense information to foreign intelligence officers.

It also suggested how foreign intelligence officers usually interact with students. 

These officers normally do not say they work for intelligence services and start developing relationships with students under seemingly innocuous pretexts. Then they may ask students to perform a task or suggest applying for US government jobs, said the FBI.

It suggested tips for students to protect themselves, and above all to "keep your awareness level up at all times."

Global Times