On September 4, the Ministry of State Security released a new article titled “The ‘Scam’ Formula of Spies,” with details as follows:

When “sweet love” falls from the sky, when “close friends and relatives” are overly attentive, when “job recruitment” seems too easy… many people may unknowingly fall into the “scam” traps set by spies. As the struggle against espionage becomes increasingly severe, foreign spy agencies continuously employ new methods to infiltrate and steal secrets. Especially when faced with recruitment and defection attempts by foreign spy agencies using money, seduction, emotional manipulation, or intimidation, it is crucial to remember these “scam” formulas, stay vigilant, and guard against “falling victim.”

Love at First Sight + Emotional Control + Extracting Secrets = Falling Victim!

Xiao Zhe, an 18-year-old exchange student, went to a university in Taiwan for an exchange program. During an “accidental” gathering, a woman claiming to be a “senior student” actively approached Xiao Zhe and frequently showed him affection. In the following days, the “senior student” intentionally created an ambiguous atmosphere, often inviting Xiao Zhe to go shopping and eat together. As a result, Xiao Zhe, feeling lonely away from home, became increasingly attached to the “senior student” and soon fell in love with her. After returning to the mainland, Xiao Zhe secured a job at a classified key laboratory. During this time, the “senior student” occasionally asked him to take photos of the laboratory under the pretext of checking in as a couple, or requested him to “share” his latest academic research成果 under the guise of caring about his studies. Gradually, the requested materials shifted from simple information to specific experimental data and confidential research materials. When Xiao Zhe began to notice something was wrong and tried to break up with the “senior student,” she threatened him by revealing that he had already leaked secrets. Under threat and intimidation, Xiao Zhe had no choice but to continue down this path of no return.

Subsequent investigations by state security authorities revealed that the so-called “senior student” was actually a personnel from a foreign spy agency, 16 years older than Xiao Zhe. She used various means to lure Xiao Zhe and control him in the name of “love” for the purpose of obtaining intelligence. Xiao Zhe provided nearly 100 pieces of intelligence related to China’s national defense and military industry to the “senior student,” receiving a total of 45,000 yuan in compensation. Faced with this “honey trap” that fell from the sky, Xiao Zhe failed to escape the snare and ultimately ended up imprisoned.

Active Friendship + Gaining Leverage + Extracting Secrets = Falling Victim!

Zhang某某, a former employee of a certain state ministry, met a personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of a certain country who actively struck up a conversation with him during his assignment abroad. The other party not only tried various ways to help him improve his foreign language translation skills but also proactively addressed difficulties in Zhang某某’s work and life. As Zhang某某 gradually developed dependence and gratitude towards him, their relationship shifted from official contacts to private interactions, until the other party offered substantial payments in exchange for intelligence provided by Zhang某某. Despite knowing that the other party was an intelligence officer of that country, Zhang某某 continued to maintain contact with him. Over the following years, Zhang某某 disregarded national interests and work discipline, acted as a spy for that country’s government, and even developed a romantic relationship with a female official from that government, fathering two illegitimate children, completely controlled by the foreign spy agency. Later, fearing exposure, Zhang某某 decided to resign and collected a large number of documents from his work computer, intending to illegally take them abroad.

Subsequent investigations by state security authorities revealed that Zhang某某 privately stored 5,200 documents, including 59 top-secret, 848机密-level, and 541秘密-level files. In February 2019, Zhang某某 was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for espionage and illegally obtaining state secrets.

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High-Paying Part-Time Job + Extremely Low Threshold + Extracting Secrets = Falling Victim!

Li某, working in Guangdong

university in Taiwan

Taiwan’s universities have a rich history, with the oldest, National Taiwan University (NTU), being founded in 1928 during the Japanese colonial era. These institutions have since become major centers for academic excellence and technological innovation in Asia. They play a vital role in the island’s economic development and cultural life.

classified key laboratory

A classified key laboratory is a state-sponsored research facility in China that focuses on sensitive or strategically important scientific fields, typically related to national defense, advanced technology, or security. These laboratories are not publicly detailed due to their classified nature, but they form a critical part of China’s strategy to achieve technological self-reliance and advancement in areas deemed vital to national interests.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of a certain country

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government department responsible for managing a nation’s diplomatic relations and foreign policy. Its history is typically intertwined with the formation of the modern state itself, evolving from a small office of the monarch or head of state into a large, professional diplomatic service. It coordinates international agreements, protects the interests of its citizens abroad, and represents the country on the global stage.

state ministry

The term “state ministry” does not refer to a specific place or cultural site, but rather to a government department. It is an administrative body responsible for a specific area of public policy, such as finance, health, or education, within a state or national government. Its history is tied to the development of modern bureaucratic governance, evolving to manage the complex affairs of a state.

Guangdong

Guangdong is a coastal province in southeastern China with a history dating back over 2,000 years, historically known as a major terminus of the Maritime Silk Road. It is a cultural and economic powerhouse, famous as the heartland of Cantonese culture, including its language (Cantonese), cuisine, and Lingnan architectural style. The province is also a modern economic hub, home to the massive Pearl River Delta metropolitan region and the cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

state security authorities

State security authorities are government bodies responsible for protecting national security, often through intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, and political surveillance. Historically, such agencies have existed in various forms, from the secret police of monarchies to the intelligence services of modern states, and are frequently associated with maintaining the power of the ruling government. Their methods and reach have often been subjects of significant controversy regarding civil liberties and human rights.

Ministry of State Security

The Ministry of State Security (MSS) is the principal security and intelligence agency of the People’s Republic of China, established in 1983. It is responsible for foreign intelligence, counter-intelligence, and safeguarding state security against perceived threats. Its operations are highly secretive and it plays a significant role in the Chinese government’s internal and external security apparatus.

academic research成果

I am unable to provide a summary for “academic research成果” as it is not a specific place or cultural site. The term translates to “academic research results” and refers to the findings and publications generated from scholarly study, rather than a physical location or cultural landmark with a history.