Sexpionage: How Foreign Spies Tap Americans Through Romance

Foreign adversaries, notably China and Russia, are expanding 'sexpionage'—using attractive operatives and seduction, sometimes via honeypots—to steal U.S. secrets from colleges, think tanks, and defense contractors, and even to pressure high‑ranking officials. While cases remain relatively rare and highly classified, officials warn the tactic is increasing and can involve online dating, conference encounters, and other social-media recruitment, targeting sensitive sites like the Pentagon and Offutt Air Force Base. Western agencies note these operations exploit the openness of modern information networks and social platforms, making detection harder but not impossible.