China’s Ministry of State Security has disclosed that foreign intelligence agencies are attempting to exploit food delivery workers for espionage activities, taking advantage of their mobility, street knowledge, and flexible access to various locations.
The ministry revealed this warning through its official WeChat account on August 12, citing a recent incident involving a delivery worker named Wang. The case began when Wang received a suspicious order for pork knuckle rice, with pickup and delivery locations less than 800 meters apart. When the customer called demanding photos as “proof of delivery,” Wang became suspicious, especially since the delivery address was a classified sensitive facility with strict security protocols.
Despite Wang’s explanation that photography was prohibited near the classified unit, the customer persisted, offering additional payment for photos of the surrounding area. Wang’s vigilance led him to report the suspicious request to national security authorities.
Investigation revealed the customer had a personal dispute with an employee at the classified facility and was unaware of security requirements. However, security officials emphasized that this incident highlights a broader concern about foreign intelligence services potentially exploiting delivery workers’ unique advantages.
The Ministry outlined four warning signs delivery workers should watch for: unusual photography requests targeting specific buildings like research institutes or energy facilities; requests to carry non-food items such as USB drives or document bags; abnormal conversations aimed at gathering information about sensitive areas under pretenses of curiosity or research; and orders offering exceptionally high payments or tips for vaguely defined tasks.
This case underscores China’s ongoing concerns about espionage activities and the need for heightened awareness among workers who have regular access to various locations throughout cities.
Source: Sputnik News, August 12, 2025
https://sputniknews.cn/20250812/1066817314.html