Norway Warns of Russian Intelligence Enlisting Criminals for Sabotage

Russian Intelligence Recruiting Criminals for Sabotage in Norway

Norwegian Intelligence Service (NIS) has issued an alert about Russian intelligence using a so-called "troll farm" to entice criminals into committing acts of sabotage.

On Tuesday, Norway's intelligence agency gave a dire warning that Russian intelligence is actively recruiting criminals to carry out sabotage operations within the country.

The Norwegian Intelligence Service (NIS) stated that the recruitment is being run through a "troll farm," which is a group of coordinated online accounts used to spread disinformation and propaganda on social media.

The NIS has observed the Russian troll farm targeting Norwegian citizens convicted of crimes related to explosives, weapons, or violence.

Methods Used to Recruit Criminals for Sabotage

Recruiters for Russian intelligence are reportedly using various methods to entice criminals into carrying out acts of sabotage:

• Troll accounts on social media offer substantial payments and other incentives.
• The recruitment process often begins with general inquiries about the individual's skills and connections.

The NIS emphasized that the recruitment campaign is a serious threat to national security.

Countermeasures to Combat Russian Intelligence

To counter Russian intelligence operations, the NIS has taken the following measures:

• Heightened surveillance of potential targets.
• Increased public awareness about the threat of sabotage.

The NIS also appealed to the public to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Additional Information and Assistance

For more information and to report suspicious activity, please contact the following resources:

• Norwegian Intelligence Service (NIS): https://www.nis.no/
• Norwegian Police: https://www.politi.no/

Additional resources are available on the NIS website regarding how to recognize and report disinformation campaigns.