ISI Exploits Social Media for Espionage Recruitment in India

• •ISI has increased recruitment of spies in India through social media engagement tactics.
• •Fake accounts are used to manipulate social media users into espionage activities.
• •Arrests have risen significantly, with individuals unaware of their involvement in espionage.

The number of arrests related to ISI-backed espionage in India has surged over the past year. The ISI employs social media tactics to recruit spies, particularly targeting individuals who create engaging content. Recruiters based in Pakistan monitor social media users, creating fake accounts to boost engagement and lure them into espionage. Victims, often unaware of the true nature of their actions, are manipulated into gathering sensitive information for small payments or other incentives. A notable case involves Zaid Khan, who was arrested for attempting to collect sensitive contact information for a government official in Uttar Pradesh. The ISI's strategy resembles influencer marketing, leveraging social media dynamics to exploit vulnerable individuals. The situation remains under investigation, with authorities highlighting the risks posed by these recruitment tactics.