FBI Arrests Chinese Nationals for Spying on U.S. Navy and Recruiting Service Members

The individuals are accused of acting as agents for China's Ministry of State Security (MSS), engaging in activities that included collecting intelligence on U.S. Navy personnel and bases.

UNITED STATES — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in coordination with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), arrested two Chinese nationals, Yuance Chen and Liren Lai, on charges related to espionage.

FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C.

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The individuals are accused of acting as agents for China's Ministry of State Security (MSS), engaging in activities that included collecting intelligence on U.S. Navy personnel and bases, as well as attempting to recruit American service members. The arrests took place in Happy Valley, Oregon, and Houston, Texas, as reported by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and detailed in a criminal complaint filed in the Northern District of California.

FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the significance of the arrests, stating on July 1, "Today’s arrests reflect the FBI’s unwavering commitment to protecting our national security and safeguarding the integrity of our military".

Key Details and Charges