The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Department of Justice (DOJ) have seized 13 websites that allegedly posed as consulting firms to recruit Americans and obtain sensitive government-related information.
As explained by the Department of Justice, the websites belonged to an entire scheme aimed at stealing information from both active and retired government employees with access to classified information.
The officials stated that the sites offered consultancy and analyst jobs while in reality hiding their agenda. The investigation revealed that the operation utilized fake profiles and photographs created with the use of artificial intelligence technology.
Also Read | Meet the astronauts who could shape the future of Moon exploration
Recruiters used fake companies to gain trust
Federal authorities said the scheme began in November 2023, when the operators created a network of websites presenting themselves as international consulting firms.
The websites reportedly advertised positions such as senior analyst and international affairs consultant. Recruiters then contacted potential candidates through social media platforms, freelance marketplaces and online hiring portals.
13 internet domains used to target U.S. persons, including current and former security clearance holders with access to classified and sensitive U.S. government information, were seized today by federal authorities.
— National Security Division, U.S. Dept of Justice (@DOJNatSec) June 10, 2026
“These domain seizures offer a glimpse at how foreign actors… pic.twitter.com/iWfIPQ5wLO
According to court documents cited by the DOJ, applicants were encouraged to provide reports, research and information related to subjects considered valuable to foreign intelligence interests.
Officials said recruiters frequently used contracts and confidentiality agreements to make the opportunities appear genuine and to persuade candidates to share sensitive information.
Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said the case demonstrates how foreign actors attempt to exploit professional networking platforms and promises of easy income to access protected information.
FBI warns against suspicious online recruitment
FBI explained that the seizure demonstrates how more frequent the cases of recruiting people for intelligence operations by using fraudulent websites have become in recent times.
Roman Rozhavsky, Assistant Director of FBI’s Division of Counterintelligence and Espionage, described this case as an example of how AI-based material and fake corporate personas could be used to trick possible victims.
Also Read | Snapchat introduces private content profiles for teens under 16
After taking the control over the websites, their owners redirected them towards special FBI notifications explaining the seizure of the websites in the course of criminal activity investigation.
Among the 13 websites that had been seized there were web pages operating under such names as Centrik Global Consulting, Catalyst Global Solutions, Pulsewave Global and SafeSec Group.
As Daniel Wierzbicki, Special Agent in Charge of FBI’s Washington Field Office Division of Counterintelligence and Cyber stated, this is one more step in fighting fraudulent activities conducted in order to access confidential information.
