China’s top spy agency, the Ministry of State Security (MSS), has issued a serious warning to young people. According to them, attractive people you meet—whether a handsome guy or a pretty girl—might not be what they seem. These individuals could be part of a dangerous scheme known as a “honeytrap,” designed to trick you into spying for foreign countries.
This warning was posted on the agency’s official WeChat account, specifically targeting students. The MSS explained that students who have access to secret or sensitive information are especially at risk. Foreign spy agencies, they said, might send someone who seems charming and trustworthy but has a hidden agenda. These spies disguise themselves as friends or even potential love interests, trying to win students’ trust so they can gather classified information.
But it doesn’t stop there. According to the MSS, foreign intelligence agents might offer students high-paying part-time jobs or exciting opportunities. They might say they’re looking for help with research or market studies. In reality, this is just a cover for collecting secret information. These spies often pose as professors, researchers, or consultants, tapping into the curiosity of young people who are eager to try new things or get ahead in their careers.
While the MSS didn’t name any specific countries or agencies involved in these tactics, China has a long history of accusing countries like the US and the UK of spying. In fact, just a few months ago, Beijing arrested two Chinese nationals for allegedly working with British intelligence agency MI6. Around the same time in New York, a former high-ranking staff member in the governor’s office was accused of secretly working for China.
This isn’t the first time the MSS has warned the public about espionage. Since China expanded its counter-espionage law last year, the agency has been using social media to spread the word about the dangers of spying. They want the public to be aware of the clever tactics used by foreign agents and to be on guard.
So, the next time someone too good-looking to be true approaches you with flirty charm or a mysterious job offer, think twice—China’s spy agency wants you to know that it could be part of a much bigger, much more dangerous game.
