cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11937205

A suspected Chinese spying network used a fictitious security firm, purportedly organised by three retired policemen, to target Australians and encourage them to share information.

ABC contacted the individuals in Shanghai whose phones had been used to target those Australians.

ASIO has openly warned about the threat of Chinese espionage online.

Archived version

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Towards the start of COVID in May 2020, Australian lawyer Henry* received a casual offer on LinkedIn.

“We are looking for Security expert consultant employment from Australia and Canada (part-time),” wrote someone using the name “Sophy”.

The account claimed to represent Data 31, a security consultancy “organised by three retired Australian police officers” based in Shanghai.

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A US-qualified lawyer with extensive experience in China, Henry’s practice had covered white-collar defence and investigations. He had also served in the Australian Army for nearly two decades, leaving with the rank of major.

But the consultancy pitch was part of something wider.

An ABC investigation has now identified that “Sophy” was one of several personas used by an alleged Chinese spying network that targeted thousands of people worldwide between 2016 to 2025, including for fictional companies like Data 31.

The LinkedIn accounts, allegedly operated by the Chinese intelligence service, were deregistered last year following an investigation by the Australian Federal Police into businessman Alexander Csergo.

Those approached by the alleged spies included government officials, former military personnel and security professionals linked to Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand — the nations of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.

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At least seven Australians were contacted by the account in 2020 under the Data 31 identity.

The contacts included people with Australian military backgrounds, a freelance writer and podcaster, a lawyer, a security executive, and Australian trade department representatives.

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The accounts have a LinkedIn message history spanning over eight years.

One persona, “Vera Su”, featured in the Australian Federal Police investigation and subsequent prosecution of businessman Alexander Csergo, who in March became the first person convicted of reckless foreign interference under Australia’s 2018 national security laws.

He is serving a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence.

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