The Swiss Federal Intelligence Service has confirmed knowledge of Chinese intelligence operations targeting key personnel via LinkedIn and other similar professional social media services. Several LinkedIn profiles have been determined to be fake profiles, set up by the Chinese intelligence service. These profiles are used to contact researchers, decision makers, parliamentarians, civil servants, army personnel, bank employees, and academics. Once contact has been made with Swiss citizens, the fake profile users ask for information and facilitate knowledge transfers to the PRC. Those who comply are rewarded with monetary bribes as well as invitations and free entry to conferences in China.