Day: May 28, 2026

Thieves and swindlers among intelligence officers – Google Search  google.com/search?q=Thieves+…
High-profile cases have exposed intelligence officers and officials using their high-level security clearance and covert tradecraft for theft, corruption, and fraud, ranging from massive government asset embezzlement to elaborate confidence schemes. [1, 2]
Cases of Intelligence Embezzlement and Fraud:

CIA Gold Theft Scheme: A former senior CIA official with top-secret clearance was charged with stealing hundreds of gold bars worth over $$40$ million from the federal government and stashing them at his residence.
The “Alpha-214” Scam: Garrison Courtney, a former chief spokesman for the DEA, pleaded guilty to running a years-long fraud scheme where he falsely claimed to be a CIA officer overseeing a top-secret program. He scammed federal defense contractors out of millions of dollars using fake classified documents and forged approvals. [1, 2]

Hostile State Espionage and Malicious Impersonation:

Stolen Government Identities: The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center issued an alert warning that malicious actors—including foreign intelligence services—have actively been using artificial intelligence to impersonate senior U.S. officials. Using “smishing” and “vishing” techniques, these thieves aim to establish trust and trick current or former government personnel into handing over sensitive personal information and login credentials.
LinkedIn Recruitment Scams: Western intelligence agencies, including MI5, have warned of foreign spymasters using fake “headhunter” and consulting firm profiles on professional networking sites to manipulate lawmakers, recruit insiders, and facilitate the theft of state secrets. [3, 4, 5]

For details on ongoing investigations into intelligence-related financial crimes, review the enforcement advisories published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. [6]

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1]  govexec.com/oversight/2020/0…
[2]  facebook.com/kcrgtv9/posts/a…
[3]  af.mil/News/Article-Display/…
[4]  ic3.gov/PSA/2025/PSA250515
[5]  youtube.com/watch?v=OPM7dMrh…
[6]  usmarshals.gov/news/press-re…

— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) May 28, 2026