2024-02-29T15:04:21+00:00
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/ The Director General of the Australian Security and Intelligence Organization, Mike Burgess, revealed on Thursday that a foreign spy network operating in the country for years had been arrested, and had succeeded in recruiting a former political official, academics, and businessmen.
“This politician sold out his country, his party and his former colleagues to serve the interests of a foreign regime,” Burgess said, without revealing the identity of the elected official or the country for which the network was spying.
He explained that the politician had been recruited “years ago” and even suggested recruiting a member of the prime minister’s family into the “spy circle.”
This information, which is rarely published in the field of counter-espionage operations, has sparked sharp reactions and demands to reveal the identity of the politician.
“The problem is if he doesn’t come out, the others won’t come out,” conservative opposition leader Peter Dutton told Sydney’s 2GB radio, calling on Burgess to provide “more information”.
Former finance minister Joe Hockey said the issue affected all MPs.
“This former politician is a traitor,” he told ABC News, adding that “it’s unbelievable that he’s not concerned.”
Defense Minister Richard Marles said he did not know who was responsible, adding that “there could be many reasons for that.”
Burgess said the spy network worked for a unit called “A-Team”, explaining that he released the information with the aim of influencing its operations, informing its operators that it had been exposed, and warning Australians of a “highly experienced, aggressive team”.
The network targets Australians with access to “exceptional information” on social media sites using English-speaking “fake personas” and by paying attractive cash rewards.
Spies pose as consultants, headhunters, local officials, academics and analysts at research institutes.
“If a target falls for the trap, the spies try to move the conversation to an encrypted messaging app,” the senior official said. “Another step might be to suggest a trip abroad for a face-to-face meeting.”
Australia is a member of the G5, an intelligence alliance that also includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, making it a likely target for agents of countries such as China and Russia.