Chinese-Linked Recruitment Network Targets Laid-Off U.S. Federal Workers

Investigations reveal fake consulting firms exploiting financial vulnerabilities of former government employees, raising national security concerns.

A network of companies tied to a Chinese tech firm has been found attempting to recruit recently laid-off U.S. federal employees through fake consulting firms and deceptive job ads.
The recruitment network includes four companies connected to Smiao Intelligence, a Chinese internet services company, though direct links to the Chinese government remain unconfirmed.
The network exploits the financial struggles of former federal workers, some of whom were laid off without receiving standard exit briefings, leaving them more vulnerable to foreign recruitment efforts.
The FBI has warned that Chinese intelligence often uses fake consulting firms to target current and former U.S. government employees, a tactic resembling the 2020 Jun Wei Yeo case.
U.S. officials are urging former federal workers to remain vigilant and protect sensitive information as investigations into the network's operations continue.