Ex-CIA Agent Spills on Russia and China’s ‘Honeypot’ Spies
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China and Russia are reportedly sending so-called “sex spies” into the United States to extract sensitive information and gain strategic advantages, according to a former CIA operative.
Speaking with Fox News Digital, J. Michael Waller detailed his firsthand encounter with such tactics while stationed in Poland. Waller recalled being approached by a young Chinese woman who seemed to know an unusual amount about his personal history. After realizing she was an intelligence agent, he alerted authorities, leading to her swift expulsion from the country “within days.”
Waller described these “honeypot” operations—where seduction or romance is used to manipulate targets—as a form of psychological warfare. “They take advantage of loneliness or human desire for companionship,” he explained. “This is an ancient tactic. They use sex as a weapon.”
The targets of these operations go far beyond diplomats or military officers, extending to engineers, local politicians, and tech professionals. James Mulvenon, chief intelligence officer for Pamir Consulting, told the Times of London that he’s noticed a surge in suspicious online activity. “I’m getting an enormous number of very sophisticated LinkedIn requests from the same type of attractive young Chinese woman,” he said.
According to intelligence experts, these operatives often play the long game—spending months or even years developing emotional bonds, sometimes even marrying their targets and starting families.
In response, U.S. authorities have tightened security measures for government employees in China, including a ban on romantic relationships with Chinese nationals—rules enforced under Ambassador Nicholas Burns.
The Fox report also referenced former Russian spy Aliia Roza, who told the New York Post that Moscow’s agents often target Silicon Valley professionals, using flattery, emotional manipulation, and fabricated personal stories to win trust and extract data.
Waller’s warning is simple: “If an attractive stranger from China seems unusually interested in you, it’s best to be cautious.”
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