The tactics exploit emotional vulnerabilities, including the "hero instinct," to build trust and create dependency. (Image: Ref)
A former sex spy turned whistleblower is uncovering how love and seduction are used in modern espionage. Aliia Roza, once with Russian intelligence, described how agents manipulate tech leaders into giving up secrets. Her story supports growing concerns that China and Russia are using female operatives to target people with sensitive data.
Aliia Roza, a Russian national, was trained as a “sex spy.” Her job was to form close ties with powerful men in the tech world to obtain secret information. She decided to defect after falling in love with one of her intelligence targets, an event that caused her to question her work. Now, on the advice of her lawyer as she seeks legal status in the United States, Roza is going public. Her stated aim is to educate people about the manipulation tactics used not just in espionage, but across dating and social media.
The setup starts long before any real conversation. Roza says spies plan “accidental” encounters to create unconscious trust. A target might spot the same woman at his coffee shop, gym, or notice her often liking his posts. By the time they talk, his mind already sees her as familiar and harmless. This method builds the base for a deeper bond, making him more open to what comes next.
Once contact is established, the spies deploy powerful emotional manipulation. A key tactic is to pretend to be vulnerable. As Roza told the New York Post, “They pretend to be weak or alone: ‘My parents were killed, I’m a student, I’m broke.’ It triggers the hero instinct. Every man wants to feel like the rescuer." Agents pair their approach with intense compliments and the sharing of personal photos to build fast trust. The “milk technique” is another trick—setting up fake accounts connected to mutual contacts to look real.
Also Read: Louvre Heist Update: Two Suspects Admit to $102 Million Museum Robbery?
The closing move is to isolate the victim and build reliance. The agent sows doubt by telling the executive his boss undervalues him and coworkers are using him. This strengthens the bond with the spy, making her seem like the only person who truly understands him. The final lever is emotional threat. Roza reveals that the spies then threaten to leave unless they receive the desired information. Many targets, who are often isolated and lack female attention, become so afraid of losing the relationship that they comply.
