Turkish intelligence has dismantled a Chinese espionage network that allegedly used fake mobile towers to spy on Uyghurs and Turkish officials. Seven suspects, identified as Chinese nationals, were caught red-handed with high-tech surveillance equipment hidden in their vehicles, according to the Middle East Eye.
Authorities seized IMSI-catcher devices, which act as fake cell towers to intercept nearby phone signals. These devices can capture conversations, phone logs, and other sensitive data from any mobile phone within a 50-meter range by tricking it into connecting as if to a legitimate base station.
The spy ring reportedly financed its operations by hacking into the bank accounts of ordinary Turkish citizens, siphoning funds to support the mission. However, their main objective was collecting detailed personal data on Uyghur dissidents and Turkish government officials.
This case has spotlighted the growing use of covert technology like IMSI-catchers in international espionage, the Eye reported.
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