Former Russian “Sex Spy” Warns Silicon Valley of Romantic Espionage Tactics
The Sinister Playbook of Foreign “Sexpionage”
Aliia Roza, a former Russian intelligence agent trained in the art of “sexpionage,” is sounding the alarm to Silicon Valley about a growing threat: foreign operatives using romance and manufactured intimacy to extract valuable trade secrets. In an exclusive interview, Roza revealed the calculated tactics she was taught as a teenager in Russia—tactics that she says are actively being deployed by Russian and Chinese agents targeting America’s tech sector. Unlike the United States, which Roza claims strives “to protect human rights,” these foreign governments view their own agents as disposable assets in their quest for technological intelligence. The psychological manipulation follows a precise script, beginning long before the target realizes they’re being hunted. “You first appear in their life—seven times, to be exact—before making contact,” Roza explained, describing how agents create a false sense of familiarity by repeatedly appearing in a target’s environment. “You might show up at their coffee shop, their gym, or just keep liking their posts. When you finally meet, their brain already trusts you.”
From Love Bombing to Psychological Manipulation
Once initial familiarity is established, the espionage playbook escalates through several calculated phases. It begins with “love bombing”—a barrage of flattering messages, compliments, and suggestive photos designed to capture attention. Agents often present themselves as vulnerable or in need of help: “My parents were killed, I’m a student, I’m broke.” This triggers what Roza calls the “hero instinct” in targets, particularly men who want to feel like rescuers. Next comes the “milk technique,” where operatives fabricate mutual connections to establish legitimacy. “The fake account follows your friends or says, ‘Bill is my brother’s friend,’ so you think, ‘OK, I can trust her.’ But it’s all fabricated,” Roza warns. As trust deepens, the psychological manipulation intensifies. The agent works to isolate the target by sowing doubt about their colleagues and workplace relationships: “Your boss doesn’t appreciate you; your colleagues use you.” This creates a powerful bond where the target begins to feel the agent is the only person who truly understands them.
Why Tech Workers Are Particularly Vulnerable
According to Roza, tech industry professionals make especially vulnerable targets for several reasons. Many spend long hours in isolated work environments with limited social interaction, creating what she calls “a gap in female interaction” that makes them susceptible to sudden romantic attention. “They may be very smart and geniuses in what they do, but regarding dating relationships… they spend a lot of time in the offices,” Roza observed. Single employees are particularly targeted, as they lack the relationship support structures that might otherwise help them recognize manipulation tactics. The nature of tech work also creates pressure points that spies can exploit—deadlines, competitive environments, and access to valuable intellectual property. When combined with emotional manipulation, these factors create a perfect storm where even brilliant minds can be compromised. Once the target is emotionally invested, the agent transitions to creating artificial urgency and stress: “If you don’t send this information right now, I’ll disappear forever.” Under this emotional pressure, people often surrender information they would never share under normal circumstances.
Roza’s Personal Journey from Spy to Educator
Roza’s insights come from personal experience. She claims to have defected from Russian intelligence after falling in love with one of her targets—a turning point that led her to question her role in the system. According to Roza, her intelligence missions primarily targeted human traffickers, drug dealers, and oligarchs who had angered the Russian government, rather than American interests. “I would get into serious relationships with my targets, which at that time were, like, criminals,” Roza explained, confirming that these relationships included “living together 24-7” and sometimes marriage. “And then [I would] just report [them] to my commanders and bring [them], eventually, to justice.” Since relocating to the United States in 2020 and obtaining a green card, Roza has chosen transparency about her past on the advice of her lawyer. She maintains she conducted fewer than ten missions, all in Europe and the United Kingdom, and never engaged in espionage against Americans or on U.S. soil. Her focus has now shifted to educating people about manipulation tactics across various contexts.
Red Flags and Defensive Strategies
Roza emphasizes several warning signs that tech professionals should watch for: sudden romantic interest, especially when it comes from someone unusually attractive or seemingly perfect; probing questions about work projects disguised as casual interest; name-dropping that suggests insider connections; and pressure to discuss sensitive information over drinks. The former spy urges Silicon Valley workers to approach unexpected romantic attention with healthy skepticism—particularly when it feels too perfect or moves too quickly. Her advice for protecting oneself includes methodically slowing down interactions, verifying identities through offline channels, and refusing any request that comes with secrecy or artificial urgency. “Education is prevention of the problem,” Roza stresses. These defensive strategies apply beyond just romantic contexts, extending to professional networking, social media, and other spheres where manipulation can occur.
From Spy Craft to Life Coaching
Today, Roza has transformed her expertise into a mission to educate people about manipulation tactics. She’s working on a book, has signed a deal for a documentary about her experiences, and recently appeared alongside bestselling author Neil Strauss for a podcast called “To Die For,” which explores the world of Russian “sexpionage.” Perhaps most interestingly, she has reframed her intelligence training into a positive form of self-improvement coaching. “I teach people to be positive and purposeful to your goals and aims, and not to be bothered or distracted by any other negative or toxic people or negative events in your life,” she explained. “So it’s a very precise, strategical thinking.” While her past raises many questions—and her claims are difficult to independently verify—her warnings align with concerns raised by security experts about the evolving nature of corporate and technological espionage. As the boundaries between personal and professional lives continue to blur, particularly in the tech industry, Roza’s insights offer a rare glimpse into the psychological tactics that can turn human connection into a weapon.
