FBI Seizes 13 Fake Consulting Websites Tied to Suspected Chinese Intelligence Recruitment

On June 10 2026, the Justice Department announced the seizure of 13 domains that prosecutors allege were run by actors linked to Chinese intelligence. The sites pretended to be consulting firms and posted job ads on LinkedIn, Upwork and similar platforms, targeting U.S. personnel with security clearances.

Associated Press

Domain registrations began in November 2023, continued through October 2025, and culminated in the June 10 2026 seizure after law-enforcement action by the FBI.

PCMag

Lead agencies include the FBI Counterintelligence and Espionage Division, the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, and the DOJ’s National Security Division. Officials named: John A. Eisenberg, Jeanine Pirro, Daniel Wierzbicki, Dominique Evans, Roman Rozhavsky.

Justice Department, FBI Disable 13 Websites Backed by Suspected Chinese Agents That Sought Sensitive U.S. Information from Security Clearance Holders

The affidavit lists seven unnamed recruits offered cryptocurrency for research reports on China-U.S. relations, Iran and the Israel-Palestine war. Job titles included International Affairs Analyst and Senior Analyst. Seized domains: gpf-ina.org, gulfpeace.org, pulsewaveglobal.com, safesec-group.com, centrikglobalconsulting.com, and used AI-generated photos, stolen identities to appear legitimate online.

FBI Seizes China-Linked Fake Consulting Sites Targeting US Clearance Holders

Eisenberg warned that easy-money promises lure clearance-holders. Pirro said the seizures send a message that exploitation will be exposed. The DOJ urged reporting suspicious offers by current and former staff.

Justice Department, FBI Disable 13 Websites Backed by Suspected Chinese Agents That Sought Sensitive U.S. Information from Security Clearance Holders

The Chinese Embassy rejected link, calling the claim slander and alleging the accusations are fabricated.

Associated Press

The affidavit does not confirm transfer; DOJ has not released contents or verified Subject A/B identities.

PCMag

• “These domain seizures offer a glimpse at how foreign actors can use promises of easy money to lure Americans into revealing sensitive or classified information that they are duty-bound to protect,” — John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security

Justice Department, FBI Disable 13 Websites Backed by Suspected Chinese Agents That Sought Sensitive U.S. Information from Security Clearance Holders

• “Anyone approached online with offers of easy income for vague ‘consulting’ work should treat those overtures with extreme caution and remain vigilant for warning signs of malicious targeting.” — John A. Eisenberg

Justice Department, FBI Disable 13 Websites Backed by Suspected Chinese Agents That Sought Sensitive U.S. Information from Security Clearance Holders

• “Today’s seizures send a clear message that any attempts to exploit Americans trusted with access to our nation’s most sensitive information will be exposed and dismantled,” — Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney, District of Columbia

Justice Department, FBI Disable 13 Websites Backed by Suspected Chinese Agents That Sought Sensitive U.S. Information from Security Clearance Holders

• “The fake consulting company domains seized by the FBI illustrate the lengths the Chinese government’s intelligence services will go to as they try to use AI-generated content to trick, recruit, or coerce current and former U.S. security clearance holders into sharing sensitive information,” — Roman Rozhavsky, Assistant Director, FBI Counterintelligence and Espionage Division

Justice Department, FBI Disable 13 Websites Backed by Suspected Chinese Agents That Sought Sensitive U.S. Information from Security Clearance Holders

The FBI placed takeover notices on each seized domain and asks the public to report similar sites. Officials warn additional fraudulent domains are likely to appear as the investigation continues across multiple jurisdictions nationwide efforts.

PCMag