DOJ AND FBI SEIZE 13 WEBSITES USED IN ALLEGED CHINESE INTELLIGENCE RECRUITMENT OPERATION TARGETING U.S. SECURITY CLEARANCE HOLDERS

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal authorities have seized 13 internet domains allegedly used in a sophisticated recruitment and intelligence-gathering operation that targeted current and former U.S. government employees, military personnel, and security clearance holders with access to sensitive information.

The Department of Justice and FBI announced the coordinated takedown on June 10, describing the websites as fraudulent consulting and recruiting platforms allegedly designed to identify, cultivate, and exploit individuals with access to classified or sensitive government information.

According to court filings, investigators believe the operation began in November 2023 and involved the creation of at least 13 fake consulting companies that advertised seemingly legitimate research, consulting, and international affairs positions. Authorities allege the operation was linked to individuals acting on behalf of interests associated with the People’s Republic of China.

Federal investigators stated that the websites specifically sought current and former U.S. government employees, military veterans, defense professionals, policy experts, and individuals possessing security clearances or specialized knowledge related to national security matters.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro said the operation was designed to exploit trusted individuals with access to sensitive government information and that the seizure of the domains represents a significant disruption of the alleged scheme.

According to an FBI affidavit supporting the seizure warrants, the operation relied on a combination of deceptive recruitment techniques frequently associated with foreign intelligence collection efforts. Investigators allege the conspirators used fictitious companies, false identities, stolen identities, AI-generated profile photographs, encrypted messaging applications, and overseas financial transfers to conceal their activities.

Authorities allege the websites advertised generic consulting positions with titles such as “Senior Analyst” and “International Affairs Consultant” while offering unusually high compensation for reports and research assignments.

Investigators claim applicants were gradually pressured to provide increasingly sensitive information, including material described as exclusive, insider, or non-public. According to court documents, recruiters allegedly attempted to create legitimacy through contracts, confidentiality agreements, and professional-looking corporate websites.

Federal authorities stated that recruitment efforts extended across multiple online employment platforms, including Upwork, Expertia AI, Hubstaff Talent, Wellfound, and Post Job Free.

Counterintelligence officials have long warned that foreign intelligence services increasingly rely on professional networking platforms, consulting arrangements, academic outreach, research opportunities, and online recruitment campaigns to identify potential sources of information. Rather than relying solely on traditional espionage methods, many modern intelligence operations focus on cultivating relationships through business and professional opportunities before attempting to obtain sensitive information.

The affidavit alleges the conspirators used multiple financial methods to disguise the source of payments, including online payment accounts registered under fictitious names and cryptocurrency transactions intended to obscure the identities of those funding the operation.

Federal authorities also allege that payments were transferred from locations outside the United States to individuals inside the country as part of the recruitment effort.

The domains seized by federal authorities include:

• centrikglobalconsulting.com
• rightinfoconsult.com
• finnaclevesperconsulting.com
• cydfconsulting.com
• pulsewaveglobal.com
• catalystglobalsolutions.com
• thehorizzen.com
• geoindopacific.com
• gpf-ina.org
• safesec-group.com
• thetruthinfo.com
• vandercons.com
• gulfpeace.org

Following the seizures, the FBI has begun replacing the websites with warning pages informing visitors that the domains have been seized by federal authorities as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg warned that foreign actors increasingly use offers of consulting work and easy income to target Americans with access to valuable government information. FBI officials urged current and former government employees to remain vigilant when approached with unsolicited consulting opportunities, particularly those involving vague clients, unusually high compensation, requests for insider information, or communications conducted primarily through encrypted messaging applications.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Washington Field Office, the FBI Norfolk Field Office, the Department of Justice’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

Authorities are encouraging anyone with information related to the seized domains or recruitment activities connected to the websites to contact the FBI.

U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Seizure Warrant and Supporting Affidavit.

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