Law enforcement officials in the Novosibirsk region of Siberia issued a warning on Monday, cautioning residents against participating in what they termed fraudulent photo contests purportedly orchestrated by foreign intelligence agencies to collect sensitive data.

According to the local office of Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC), those organizing these contests are utilizing social media platforms like Telegram to request images of crucial infrastructure, including bridges, railways, ferry routes, and industrial facilities. Participants are reportedly enticed with the promise of monetary rewards.

The NAC has asserted that these competitions serve as a cover for espionage and warned that individuals who provide such images could face life imprisonment if found guilty of disclosing state secrets to foreign powers.

“The true objective of the organizers… is to gather intelligence about regional infrastructure and incite locals to share it with foreign entities, which could jeopardize Russia’s national security,” the NAC stated in their announcement.

The agency did not specify which foreign nation is allegedly behind the initiative.

The Moscow Times was unable to independently verify these assertions.

This cautionary message comes at a time when Russia is experiencing frequent Ukrainian drone attacks deep within its borders, more than three years into the ongoing large-scale invasion of Ukraine.