A joint intelligence warning issued Thursday by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand alleges that Chinese intelligence services are using professional networking and job platforms to identify and recruit potential assets with access to sensitive information.

According to the bulletin, Chinese operatives are posing as recruiters, consultants, think tanks and human resources firms, often through fake but legitimate-looking companies. The agencies said the operatives use online job advertisements and networking platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed and Upwork to make initial contact with potential targets.

The warning states that military personnel, government employees, security clearance holders, academics, journalists and think tank staff are among those most at risk. Intelligence officials cautioned that even information that is not formally classified can be valuable when combined with other sources to build a broader intelligence picture.

“China’s military intelligence services are using an increasingly wide array of professional networking sites and online job platforms to target Five Eyes government and military personnel,” the bulletin said. Officials added that some recruits are reportedly paid to produce reports or provide information, sometimes through online payment services or cryptocurrency.

A LinkedIn spokesperson said that creating fake accounts or misrepresenting identity violates the platform’s policies and that the company continues efforts to detect state-sponsored abuse. China rejected the allegations, with the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom calling the claims “malicious slander” and accusing the Western intelligence alliance of conducting espionage activities around the world.