German federal authorities have observed a surge in attempts to recruit individuals for espionage and sabotage activities via social media platforms According to a statement released by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and German intelligence agencies on Tuesday, these recruitment efforts are believed to originate from Russian intelligence services
The recruited individuals, often referred to as “low-level agents” or “disposable agents” are reportedly tasked with carrying out criminal acts without receiving formal intelligence training – frequently for minimal compensation and without knowledge of the true orchestrators Engaging in such activities carries the risk of criminal prosecution, potentially leading to prison sentences of up to ten years
Several suspected cases are currently under investigation in Germany, including incidents of arson, vandalism and unauthorized drone flights targeting critical infrastructure To raise awareness and encourage vigilance, the BKA, in collaboration with intelligence services, has launched the public awareness campaign “Don’t Become a Disposable Agent” which informs the public about this phenomenon and urges individuals to report suspicious contacts