Big Take Asia The Sixth Bureau, Episode 1: Your Friend From Nanjing
7 snips
Feb 13, 2026 A tense FBI sting played out through undercover meetings, hotel manipulation and consensual recordings. The narrative follows an intelligence officer tied to a covert campaign to steal aerospace secrets, including targeted jet engine technology. The story uncovers how operational sloppiness exposed a sprawling clandestine network and led to a landmark counterintelligence breakthrough.
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Undercover Meeting In Chicago
- Ji Chiaojin was lured from a Chicago apartment into a hotel by an undercover FBI agent posing as a contact from Nanjing.
- The agent convinced Ji to accept a new phone and cut off contact with his arrested MSS handler, recording their two-hour meeting for evidence.
Using A News Story To Build Trust
- Chen showed Ji a news article about Xu Yanjun's arrest to establish credibility and prompt compliance.
- The ruse worked: Ji accepted the story and agreed to use the new phone and contact only the supposed intermediary.
Cut Contacts After A Handler Is Arrested
- If a handler is compromised, stop using prior channels and switch to verified secure contacts immediately.
- Limit communications and follow vetted instructions to reduce exposure after an MSS officer's arrest.