The U.S. warned Tuesday that Chinese intelligence uses deceptive tactics to recruit former and current U.S. federal employees.
The National Counterintelligence and Security Center issued the warning amid massive federal layoffs under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
The center stated in a bulletin that “foreign intelligence entities, especially those in China, are targeting former and current U.S. Government (USG) workers for recruitment by posing on social and professional network sites as consulting firms or corporate headhunters.
It is said that deceptive online jobs and other methods have become more sophisticated in targeting individuals with U.S. government backgrounds who are seeking employment. The center warned former and current federal employees about such tactics.
The report added that holders of clearances are required to protect classified information even after they leave federal employment.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington has not yet commented.
A secretive Chinese technology firm has created a network of companies that have been recruiting recently laid-off U.S. federal workers.