BfV revealed to the BBC that Chinese hackers, also known as ‘Fancy Bear’, are using fake LinkedIn profiles to gather information on German officials and politicians.

The German intelligence agency said that Fancy Bear is using the social media/recruitment company to target Germans by recruiting them as informants.

BfV head, Hans-Georg Maassen, said to the BBC that the hackers have targeted 10,000 Germans so far by releasing a range of fake profiles.

“This is a broad-based attempt to infiltrate in particular parliaments, ministries, and government agencies,” added Maassen.

China has denied all acquisitions.

Written by Leah Alger