A 25-year-old US Navy sailor based in California has been convicted on multiple charges for providing classified military information to a Chinese intelligence officer in exchange for cash payments.
According to a BBC report, Jinchao Wei, who also goes by Patrick Wei, faced conviction on six counts, including espionage and conspiracy, after selling details about US Navy ships over an 18-month span. The case highlights ongoing concerns about foreign recruitment efforts targeting US military personnel through digital platforms.
Wei received over $12,000 from the Chinese agent who first contacted him in February 2022, seeking specifics on the USS Essex where Wei served as a machinist's mate. As a naturalized US citizen with security clearance, he had access to sensitive data on Pacific Fleet vessels, which he shared via encrypted communications.
Sailor Recruited via Social Media
The Chinese intelligence officer initially posed as a naval enthusiast employed by the state-owned China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation to build trust with Wei during his citizenship application process. This recruitment method allowed the agent to request and receive photographs, videos, and descriptions of ship locations and defensive weapons.
Wei referred to his handler as "Big Brother Andy" and followed instructions to maintain secrecy by using multiple encrypted apps for messages and payments. He even utilized a new computer and phone supplied by the contact to facilitate their exchanges without detection.
During the trial, prosecutors introduced evidence such as phone conversations, electronic messages, and audio files demonstrating Wei's awareness of his actions. A notable text to his mother revealed his casual attitude toward the espionage, where he boasted about leaking secrets for money instead of pursuing other side jobs.
Evidence Highlights Betrayal of Trust
In the text exchange presented in court, Wei wrote to his mother: "Other Chinese serving in the US Navy are still trying to figure out how to make extra money, and driving cabs. Whereas I am just leaking secrets." His mother replied with "Good job!" which prosecutors used to show family awareness and endorsement of his illegal activities.
Wei provided details on issues affecting his ship and others, including operational problems that could benefit foreign intelligence. This information compromised not only naval security but also the safety of personnel aboard the vessels involved.
US Attorney Adam Gordon condemned the actions in a statement, saying: "The defendant's actions represent an egregious betrayal of the trust placed in him as a member of the US military." He further noted: "By trading military secrets to the People's Republic of China for cash, he jeopardised not only the lives of his fellow sailors but also the security of the entire nation and our allies."
Linked to Another Navy Spy Case
Wei was arrested in August 2023 while reporting for duty on the amphibious assault ship, coinciding with the apprehension of another sailor, Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao. Zhao faced similar charges for accepting over $14,800 to transmit sensitive materials to a Chinese officer.
Prosecutors detailed how Zhao shared plans for a large-scale maritime training exercise in the Pacific, along with operational orders and blueprints for a radar system in Okinawa, Japan. Zhao's conviction last year resulted in a 27-month prison sentence, underscoring patterns in these espionage efforts.
The cases reflect broader US concerns about Chinese intelligence targeting military members, with Wei's trial lasting a week before the guilty verdict. Attempts to contact Wei or his lawyer for comment were unsuccessful, as reported in the coverage.
Sentencing Looms for Convicted Sailor
Jinchao Wei, a 25-year-old naturalized US citizen and former machinist's mate on the USS Essex in California, was convicted of espionage after being recruited via social media by a Chinese agent posing as a naval enthusiast. The betrayal involved sharing classified details on ship locations, weapons, and operational issues for payments exceeding $12,000, driven by financial incentives during his citizenship process.
Wei's actions occurred over 18 months starting in February 2022, primarily in the context of his Pacific Fleet duties, where he held security clearance granting access to sensitive information. Authorities emphasize that such leaks endanger national security and allied interests, prompting heightened scrutiny of foreign recruitment tactics.
Scheduled for sentencing on December 1, Wei faces the possibility of life imprisonment, with the case potentially influencing future counter-espionage measures within the US military. Related incidents, like Zhao's conviction, suggest ongoing investigations into similar threats from Chinese intelligence operations.
