Beijing, August 12, 2025 – China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) highlighted a case on Tuesday where a food delivery rider’s vigilance helped prevent a possible national security breach. The incident underscores how some individuals may exploit delivery workers’ mobility and local knowledge for surveillance or intelligence gathering.
A Suspicious Food Order
On a summer afternoon, delivery rider Xiao Wang had just completed an order when he received a new request. The customer had ordered braised pork trotter rice, with the pickup location just 800 meters from the drop-off point. Puzzled by the short distance, Wang checked the address again—only to realize it was near a highly secured sensitive facility.
The customer, growing impatient, called and urged: “Where are you? Send me a photo—I need to confirm the delivery.”Wang, familiar with the area, became suspicious. When he explained that photography was not allowed on-site, the customer insisted: “Never mind the food. I’ll pay extra—just take random pictures nearby and send them.”
Rider’s Quick Thinking
The odd request set off alarm bells. Recalling national security warnings he had seen on his phone, Wang suspected the customer might be trying to obtain classified information. He immediately contacted the national security hotline and reported the incident.
Investigation Findings
Authorities later determined that the customer had a personal conflict with an employee at the facility and was unaware of its security restrictions. While no foreign espionage link was found, MSS praised Wang’s alertness and sense of duty in protecting national security.
Foreign Espionage Tactics
The MSS warned that foreign intelligence agencies have attempted to use delivery workers’ street familiarity, mobility, and local knowledge to gather sensitive information. Workers should watch for:
- Unusual photo requests of government buildings, research labs, or energy facilities.
- Demands to deliver non-food items (e.g., USB drives).
- Casual but probing questions about staff schedules, security measures, or facility layouts.
MSS emphasized that while most delivery workers act in good faith, remaining vigilant against suspicious requests is crucial in safeguarding national security.
