Now the Brits are trying out the RFID comedy routine:
-jma
http://www.canadafreepress.com/2007/thomas011607.htm
James Bond Coins, Canada, China
Chinese agents use coins with hidden radios to spy on UK military contractors
By Gordon Thomas
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
London-- MI5 has discovered that British defence contractors
travelling to Canada to discuss "sensitive contracts" have been
bugged by Chinese secret agents.
The bugs take the form of minute receiver-transmitters hidden in
hollowed-out coins, which are slipped to the contractors at airport
money-changing kiosks at Canadian airports.
The contractors are often easily spotted because they fly First or
Business Class usually on British Airways. Some carry Ministry Of
Defence identification that gets them fast-tracked through long airport queues.
While the range of a coin transmitter is small, it is capable of
storing microfilm or a coded message. These can be retrieved by
pressing a spot on the coin face to open the coin.
The size of a pinhead and devised by Chinese scientists from the
latest nanotechnology, the coins are described by a spokeswoman for
the Canadian Security Intelligence Service as "pure James Bond. We
have just learned about this and we are working closely with MI5 and
the Pentagon to track the transmitters and to alert contractors
working in ultra-sensitive military areas to check their coins".
MI5 believes that Chinese undercover agents working at British
airports target likely MOD contractors flying to Canada to buy and
sell military technology.
When they arrive at Canadian airports and exchange their Pound
Sterling for Canadian dollars, coins with the radio transmitters
embedded inside are slipped in with genuine coins.
Last December a London defence contractor with MOD affiliation
discovered one of the doctored coins. At the time he was in Ottawa
meeting with Canadian high-level military officials.
In a warning to firms working in the arms and military technology
industries, MI5 say: "Military fairs and arms technology conventions
are prime targets for Chinese and Russian spies".
And the Pentagon confirmed 971 "suspicious contacts" were reported by
US defence contractors last year at such fairs.
MI5 scientists have identified the Canadian $2 "Toonie" as the most
likely coin to be used by the Chinese agents. More than one-inch
across, it is thick enough to hide a tiny transmitter in a hollowed-out space.
Brian McAdam, one of Canada's ranking authorities in Chinese
espionage in the country, said: "China is now a leading espionage
operator in North America".
Gordon Thomas is the author of "Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of
the Mossad", the new edition of which will be published in January
2007. He specialises in international intelligence matters. Gordon
Thomas is also the author of the global bestsellers "Pontiff" and
"The Year of Armageddon". Both books detail the secret workings of
John Paul's papacy. He accompanied the Pontiff on several of his
overseas tours, including a visit to Poland.
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Received on Sat Mar 02 2024 - 00:57:18 CST