Chinese Official Sold State Secrets in Exchange for Cryptocurrency
Date: 2024-11-11 Author: Gabriel Deangelo Categories: IN WORLD
His identity and exact place of employment have not been disclosed, but court records reveal that Momoh had been actively investing in various cryptocurrencies for a long time. Over time, his investments proved unsuccessful, leading to a complete zeroing out of his assets and significant financial difficulties.
Mired in debt, Wang Momou decided to take a desperate step. He agreed to cooperate with some foreign intelligence agencies, which offered him a reward in cryptocurrency in exchange for confidential information. Momow would provide information about his unit's production tasks and scientific developments, for which he would receive digital assets. According to the court ruling, the total amount of his “reward” amounted to about 1 million yuan, equivalent to about $140,000.
The case has caused widespread public outcry, as Taiwan's Ministry of Justice has also previously alleged the use of cryptocurrency in espionage operations by the PRC. Taiwanese authorities reported that Chinese intelligence used cryptocurrency to pay rewards to Taiwanese military personnel involved in major espionage cases. This incident underscores the growing attention on digital assets, which are becoming not only a vehicle for investment but also a tool in the hands of those seeking to engage in illicit activities and undermine state security.
