Alleged Chinese spy posed as recruiter for 'retired Australian police'
A suspected Chinese spying network contacted Australians on LinkedIn using a fake security firm in an effort to encourage them to share information, an ABC investigation has found.
An alleged Chinese espionage network allegedly recruited Australians with a fictitious security firm, purportedly organized by three retired Australian police officers, according to Australian Federal Police (AFP). The network, which operated between 2016 and 2025, used multiple LinkedIn personas to target thousands of individuals worldwide, including Australians, government officials, former military personnel, and security professionals from five allied nations.
At least seven Australians were contacted in 2020 under the "Data 31" identity, with some approached for consultancy work related to banking, data companies, and venture capital institutions in Shanghai. The Chinese Embassy in Canberra dismissed the AFP's claims as "entirely groundless."
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
