Chinese Ministry of State Security

China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) revealed on Monday that foreign spies, under the pretext of "making friends" and "giving part-time jobs," were luring college students to take photos of sensitive research bases to collect secret information.

The MSS announced on its WeChat account three cases in its efforts to enhance public's awareness of safeguarding state security. 

In early April, a city's security agency discovered foreign spies using virtual positioning software to lure college students under the pretext of "making friends" and "recruiting part-time jobs" to take and send photos of sensitive research bases. 

In order to enhance students' ability to identify and prevent such activities, the security agency held an anti-spying legal education lecture for the university on the National Security Education Day, which falls on April 15 every year. Following the lecture, several students voluntarily reported suspicious individuals they encountered online, stating that they would increase vigilance together with their classmates.

In February, a local security agency found that Zhao, a vocational school student, was recruited by foreign spies to collect and provide sensitive information during a job search on job-hunting platforms in exchange for 5,000 yuan ($698).

Considering that Zhao was under 18, the security agency took privacy protection measures and helped Zhao recognize and rectify the mistake, and gave a warning and confiscated illegal gains in accordance with the law. 

In September 2023, another local security branch discovered that a certain enterprise's network equipment had been repeatedly attacked by foreign Trojan viruses. 

The security agency took swift action to remove the virus and guide the enterprise in taking security measures. The agency also carried out security inspections, provided training, and boosted awareness of confidentiality and security among staff to protect national secrets.

Global Times