How Nations Use Honey Traps to Catch Spies and Secrets

Honey traps, a classic espionage tactic involving romantic or sexual deception to extract secrets, remain widely used by intelligence agencies globally, with China and Russia among the most frequent practitioners. The recent resignation of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang over a reported relationship with a woman allegedly linked to Chinese intelligence highlights the ongoing threat and its severe consequences for individuals and companies. The tactic has a long history, including Cold War-era operations by East Germany and Russia, and a notable case where a Chinese opera singer deceived a French diplomat for nearly two decades. Intelligence agencies often target individuals with access to sensitive information, using seduction, blackmail, or coercion to recruit them, with success rates estimated at around 10% but considered significant if key targets are compromised. Experts warn that in the current geopolitical climate, leaders in critical sectors like artificial intelligence are prime targets, and the Nvidia case could deepen US-China distrust. They advise constant vigilance, noting that while complete isolation is impractical, individuals and companies must remain aware that they are potential targets and avoid naivety.