Chennai: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has cautioned students, researchers and academicians against sharing sensitive information related to national security and foreign affairs with unknown individuals and organisations, amid reports of foreign agencies attempting to gather strategic data.

According to official sources, foreign intelligence-linked entities have allegedly been approaching security experts, journalists and students with defence-related training, seeking articles and analytical inputs on sensitive topics in exchange for monetary rewards.

These entities reportedly advertise on employment platforms such as LinkedIn and Naukri, posing as Indian-based firms and offering high payments for articles on issues including India-China relations, Indo-Pacific developments, Quad and G20 activities, defence procurement and joint military exercises.

Depending on the content, contributors were promised payments ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 1 lakh per article. Investigations have revealed that funds were routed through hacked bank accounts, foreign remittances and cryptocurrency transactions, officials said.

In one recent case, Rs 8.5 lakh was allegedly siphoned off from a Gujarat resident's bank account, with part of the amount transferred to a journalist, sources added.

Following inputs from the Union Home Ministry, the UGC has issued a circular to vice-chancellors, urging universities to create awareness among students and faculty.

UGC Secretary Sudeep Singh advised scholars to verify the authenticity of institutions seeking sensitive material and warned against sharing information related to national security, foreign relations and personal documents.

“No one should fall victim to data exploitation in the information war,” the circular said.