Part 3/14:
The two suspects traveled to China in early 2022 to meet MSS officials, where they coordinated a "dead drop" payment of at least $10,000—meant to finance other assets in the U.S.—via a locker in California. The FBI documented surveillance activities, including Chen photographing Navy recruitment posters and bases, and sending images of Navy personnel, some of Chinese background, to Chinese handlers. These efforts included plans to recruit Navy personnel using tailored messaging and offers of compensation.