Beware exotic beauties from abroad, warn Beijing’s spies

CHINA’S intelligence agency has warned citizens to beware of “exotic beauties” who are trying to honeytrap them into revealing state secrets.

In a post on its WeChat account titled “Hunting for beauty? You may become the prey”, the Ministry of State Security (MSS), revealed lurid details of how a man called Li Si was ensnared by foreign intelligence agencies who used attractive women to draw him into a compromising position.

“This was a premeditated and wellplanned hunting operation. The foreign espionage and intelligence agencies have long been eyeing Li Si,” it said, describing how a tour guide in an unspecified location had invited him to an adult entertainment venue to pick up several women.

“The tour guide and luscious girls are hunters” linked to foreign spies, it alleged. “All the preparations were made in order to capture Li Si as prey and ultimately steal our country’s state secrets,” it added. Elaborating on the case of Mr Li, who it said worked for a state-owned firm, the MSS revealed that he was unaware he was under surveillance until “burly” foreigners stormed into his room and took photos of him naked. The images were used to blackmail him into leaking intelligence and handing over his laptop, which contained valuable classified information.

The coercion apparently continued when he returned to China, the MSS said, adding that he became a “puppet” at the beck and call of a foreign spy agency and “caused immeasurable harm to China’s national security”. Mr Li is now said to be facing trial in China.

The latest tale of a downfall at the hands of overseas intelligence agencies appears to be part of a deepening paranoia within the Chinese security establishment about foreign espionage.

Last year, Beijing intensified its efforts to root out spying by expanding counter-espionage laws to give authorities more power to track and detain suspects.

This month, the MSS unveiled its first comic series to raise awareness of national security among the young.