Chinese and Russian intelligence agencies are deploying sophisticated “sex spies” to seduce American tech professionals and military personnel, stealing critical secrets through honeypot operations that threaten our national security and economic dominance.
Story Highlights
- Foreign operatives increasingly target Silicon Valley and defense contractors through romantic relationships
- LinkedIn and tech conferences serve as primary hunting grounds for attractive female spies
- Over 60 Chinese espionage cases reported in past four years, with surge continuing into 2025
- Non-traditional agents including businesspeople and academics make detection nearly impossible
Modern Espionage Targets American Innovation
Counterintelligence experts report an alarming surge in honeypot operations targeting America’s tech and defense sectors. James Mulvenon, a leading intelligence analyst, warns of an “enormous number of very sophisticated LinkedIn requests from attractive young Chinese women” approaching Silicon Valley professionals. These operations represent a calculated assault on American technological superiority, exploiting personal vulnerabilities to access our most sensitive innovations and military secrets.
Sophisticated Social Engineering Campaign
The tactics extend beyond simple online approaches to include physical infiltration at industry conferences and long-term relationship building. J. Michael Waller, a counterintelligence expert, documents firsthand accounts of honeypot attempts at international tech events. These operations often involve marriage and family formation with targets, creating deep cover relationships that can persist for years before activation. The use of ordinary citizens rather than traditional intelligence operatives makes detection extraordinarily difficult for security professionals.
Escalating Threat to National Security
Congressional reports reveal over 60 cases of Chinese espionage in recent years, with the frequency accelerating dramatically. The US House Committee on Homeland Security documented this surge in February 2024, highlighting the “whole-of-society” approach employed by adversaries. These operations target not only government officials but private sector executives, academic researchers, and defense contractors who hold access to cutting-edge technologies that maintain America’s competitive edge globally.
Economic Warfare Through Seduction
Intelligence experts characterize these honeypot operations as “sex warfare” that provides China and Russia with asymmetric advantages over traditional intelligence gathering. The stolen intellectual property and state secrets directly undermine American economic competitiveness and military readiness. This represents a clear threat to the constitutional principle of providing for the common defense, as foreign adversaries systematically exploit American openness and professional networking to steal the innovations that keep our nation secure and prosperous.
‘Sex spies’ from China, Russia hit US to seduce and steal secrets with honeypot tactics, fmr operative warns https://t.co/g8fT84L0Yd #FoxNews
— Jo Doctura (@DocturaJo) November 5, 2025
Former CIA operatives emphasize the urgent need for enhanced counterintelligence training and cross-sector collaboration to combat this evolving threat. The erosion of trust in professional networks and the increased security costs represent additional burdens on American businesses already struggling with regulatory overreach and global competition from adversaries who play by different rules.
Sources:
Chinese honey trap spies target tech, military pros to steal US secrets, report
Sex spies targeting tech industry leaders, trying to steal state secrets: report