A Chinese spy cell has been dismantled in Turkey after operatives reportedly used fake mobile towers to surveil Uyghurs and Turkish officials, Middle East Eye reported on May 21st.
Seven Chinese nationals were caught earlier in May with IMSI-catcher devices, tools that mimic legitimate phone towers to intercept data, conversations, and location information from nearby mobile phones. Turkish intelligence officials said the suspects operated across Istanbul, Izmir, Manisa, Balikesir and Bursa.
CNN Turk reported on May 20th that the network had been active for five years, with some members entering the country as recently as March. The operation allegedly focused on collecting intelligence on Uyghur Turks in exile and Turkish public officials perceived to be in contact with them.
The chinese group’s head, identified as ZL, is accused of entering Turkey five years ago to lay the groundwork by forming shell companies and learning Turkish. Turkish sources say the network self-funded its activities by hacking into citizens’ bank accounts.
The smuggled surveillance equipment was brought into the country in separate shipments. Each courier transported a different component of the device, such as antennas, batteries, and control units, to avoid detection.
The intercepted data was reportedly sent to a handler in China, referred to by the group as the “big boss.”
While ZL was believed to be a trained operative, other members had no formal intelligence background. One suspect, ZYB, who had only completed primary school, allegedly drove the base station-equipped vehicle and switched the device on and off. Another, WR, said he was an lift repairer in China.
Despite all suspects denying ties to one another, investigators say they have found evidence of regular contact and periodic meetings.
Turkish authorities described the operation as one of the most sophisticated spying efforts uncovered in the country. They contrasted it with previous Israeli and Iranian espionage activities, which typically relied on local informants or private detectives for limited tasks such as GPS tracking or physical surveillance.
In contrast, this Chinese network used advanced tools to collect personal data without employing local operatives.
Turkey hosts one of the world’s largest Uyghur diasporas, many of whom fled state repression in China. Rights groups have long accused the Chinese government of committing abuses against the Uyghur population, including forced assimilation. Beijing denies the allegations.
Middle East Eye
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