The United States has warned that Chinese intelligence is using deceptive methods to recruit current and former US government officials, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
The warning from the National Center for Counterintelligence and Security (NCCS) comes amid mass layoffs in the federal administration, led by the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk.
"Foreign intelligence entities, particularly those in China, are targeting current and former US government employees for recruitment by posing as consulting firms, corporate headhunters, think tanks and other entities on social and professional sites," the center said in a bulletin.
The NCCS said that fraudulent online job offers and other approaches have become more sophisticated in targeting individuals with U.S. government experience seeking new employment. The agency has warned current and former federal employees about such approaches.
The NCSC added that holders of classified clearances are required to protect classified information even after leaving federal employment.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment on the allegations.