A secretive Chinese tech firm has been trying to recruit recently laid-off US government workers through fake consulting and headhunting firms, according to a researcher who uncovered the campaign. The network of companies, which includes RiverMerge Strategies and Wavemax Innovation, placed ads on job websites offering lucrative jobs for former government employees.
Reuters found that one employee was paid $1,000 or $2,000 every two or three months to promote these job listings, while another company’s “strategies project manager” inquired about the journalist’s request for information despite identifying himself as a reporter.
Experts say Chinese intelligence operatives often use similar tactics, including fake consulting companies and job advertisements, to recruit sources without them knowing they are working for a foreign government. A former Department of Justice prosecutor warned that while many former government employees may be motivated by patriotism, some may be vulnerable to deceptive tactics.
The researcher who uncovered the campaign said he expected China’s intelligence services to increase efforts as they see a wave of government employees suddenly having to look for new jobs. The network of companies has been restricted on LinkedIn, but its fake job listings remain active on other platforms.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/secretive-chinese-network-tries-lure-fired-federal-workers-research-shows-2025-03-25