How to Be a Spy 2023: Ultimate Tradecraft Spy School Operations Book, Covers Anti Surveillance Detection, CIA Cold War & Corporate espionage, Clandestine Services Skills & Techniques for teens & adults

By Allain Verdugo

(Edition 2. Updated and Improved for 2023)

"To People Who Want Learn Spycraft, But Don’T Know Where To Start, And Don't Want To Be Trapped, By Joining An Intelligence Agency"

Are you ready to learn the secrets of spycraft/tradecraft? Our updated book is here to help you become an expert in this fascinating field. With more than double the information of the previous edition and 157% thicker, this revised version covers everything you need to know about spycraft.
In this book, you'll learn about the magic principles used in tradecraft and the value of multiple intelligence sources. We'll also cover the importance of going gray and black ops, as well as the role of operatives in these operations.
We'll guide you through the recruitment process and teach you about the cultivation of assets. You'll learn about different types of agents and spies, including the traitor, the unassuming spy, the walk-in spy, the mole, the enlistee, and the doubled agent. We'll also cover the sleeper agent, the discards, cutouts, and the burn notice.
In addition to these topics, we'll teach you about the reasons why people become spies, how to find their weaknesses and exploit them including how to use force as a tool of persuasion. You'll learn about the resources needed for successful operations and the importance of Recognition signals. We'll also cover Interview and Interrogations plus how operatives stay sober and the role of emotions and stress management in the field.
We'll delve into the world of open-source intelligence (OSINT), including a sample case study of an operation using different intelligence disciplines. We'll teach you about the art of remembering and how to secure stolen information. You'll learn about bridging the communication gap between case officers and spies, encoding telephone communications, and cyphering emails. We'll also cover the use of safe houses and the importance of cover identity and the different kinds.
In this revised edition, we've also included chapters on social engineering, pretexting, and the different types of surveillance, including foot surveillance, automobile surveillance, and fixed surveillance. We'll teach you about cleaning runs (to beat enemy surveillance), overt and covert surveillance, and how to install a hidden camera/mic quickly and carefully.
We've also included new chapters on the role of artificial intelligence in spycraft and covert operations. You'll learn about intelligence gathering with machine learning, AI predictions and inferences, and the use of computer vision for surveillance. We'll also cover how to leverage big data to build better spycraft strategies.
Finally, we've included a chapter on offensive driving techniques to help you succeed in the field.
So don't wait any longer, order your copy today and start learning the Spycraft skills you've dreamed of. This book is the perfect guide for civilians who want to learn the ins and outs of this fascinating field.
Table of Contents:
Value of Multiple Intelligence Sources
Going Gray
Clandestine Operations
Recruitment Steps
Cultivation of Assets
Agent Recruitment
Cutouts
The Burn Notice
Reasons Why People Become Spies
Using Force As Persuasion
Needed Resources
Recognition Signals
How operatives stay sober
Interrogation and Interviews
OSINT
Securing the Stolen Information
Bridging The Communication Gap Between The Case Officer And The Spy
Safe Houses
Emotions and Stress Management
Social Engineering
Pretexting
What To Do When Challenged
Cover Identity
Foot Surveillance
Automobile Surveillance
Fixed Surveillance
Cleaning Runs
Overt and Covert Surveillance
Installing A Hidden Camera Quickly And Carefully
How a spy would install the equipment
Spycraft using Artificial Intelligence

• Language: English
• Publisher: JNR Publishing Group
• Release date: Jan 25, 2023
• ISBN: 1974561836

Book preview

Prologue

This is the latest update to this bestselling book, from 2017.

The book has been updated to include more techniques or tradecraft and is now over twice the information (and the size) of the previous version

I must emphasize that this is just for educational and entertainment purposes only, and that the author(s) and publisher(s), assumes no responsibility for any actions conducted as a result of reading this book.

Many ideas in this book should not be attempted! Some may be illegal, dangerous, and potentially lethal!

With that said, I hope you enjoy reading this book.

Introduction

In espionage and covert operations, an operative is a trained professional who carries out secretive missions on behalf of a government or other organization. Often working behind enemy lines or in hostile environments, operatives are highly skilled in various areas, including intelligence gathering, surveillance, and infiltration.

In this book, Intelligence Agencies or organizations may refer to not just actual agencies, but any organization or group, employing spycraft.

While the role of an operative may be romanticized in popular media, such as the James Bond franchise, the reality is often quite different. In the real world, operatives are not always suave, debonair agents who save the day with a clever quip and a well-placed punch. Instead, they are highly trained professionals who must use their expertise and cunning to complete their missions successfully.

Unlike the characters in a spy novel or movie, real-world operatives must deal with the consequences of their actions. They may face danger and even death during their work, and must be prepared for the worst. Operatives must also be able to adapt to changing situations and make difficult decisions in the field rapidly.

In addition to their physical skills, operatives must also possess a high mental acuity and emotional intelligence. They must be able to analyze complex information and make quick, informed decisions, often under intense pressure. They must also maintain composure and stay focused on their objectives, even in the most challenging situations.

Overall, the role of an operative is demanding and difficult, requiring a unique combination of specialized knowledge, physical prowess, and mental agility. While an operative's work may be thrilling and exciting at times, it is also fraught with danger and responsibility. As a result, operatives must be highly trained, disciplined, and dedicated professionals who are prepared to do whatever it takes to complete their missions successfully.

The intelligence cycle

First, we need a brief outline of why spies exist and what creates the need.

The intelligence cycle is a process used by intelligence agencies and organizations to turn raw information into finished intelligence products for decision-making and action. It consists of five steps: planning and direction, collection, processing, analysis and production, and dissemination.

Planning and direction involve identifying the need for specific intelligence and formulating requirements for collection, processing, analysis, and dissemination. This step is driven by the needs of the intelligence consumers, who may be policymakers, law enforcement executives, investigators, or patrol officers.

Collection involves gathering raw information from various sources, including open sources such as media reports and the internet, as well as confidential sources like law enforcement investigations and undercover work.

Processing involves converting raw information into a usable form through indexing, sorting, and organizing data into files.

Analysis and production involve evaluating and analyzing all available data to produce finished intelligence products. Analysts, who are subject-matter experts, consider reliability, validity, timeliness, and relevance.

Dissemination involves delivering the finished intelligence products to the consumers who will use them for decision-making and action.

An example of the intelligence cycle can be seen in the James Bond film Skyfall (2012) shows an example of the intelligence cycle. In the film, Bond and MI6 are trying to track down the villain, Raoul Silva, who has hacked into MI6's computer system and stolen classified information.

Planning and direction: Bond and MI6 identify the need for specific intelligence on Silva's whereabouts and formulate requirements for collection.

Collection: Bond and MI6 gather raw information on Silva through various means, including surveillance and interrogating suspects.

Processing: The raw information is processed and organized into usable files.

Analysis and production: Bond and MI6 analyze the information and produce finished intelligence products, including a detailed profile of Silva and a potential location where he may be hiding.

Dissemination: The finished intelligence products are disseminated to Bond and other members of MI6, who use them to plan and execute an operation to capture Silva.

Value of Multiple Intelligence Sources

Using multiple intelligence disciplines and sources can significantly improve the quality and effectiveness of an intelligence product. This is because different fields and sources can provide different perspectives and information on a given issue, allowing for a more complete and nuanced understanding of the situation.

For example, human intelligence (HUMINT) can provide valuable insights and on-the-ground perspectives through agents and informants.

In contrast, electronic intelligence (ELINT) can provide technical details on electronic systems and communications.

Similarly, signal intelligence (SIGINT) can provide information on communication signals, while measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) can provide technical analysis of physical phenomena. Imagery intelligence (IMINT) can provide visual information through satellite or aerial imagery.

Collating data from these different disciplines and sources helps paint a more complete and accurate picture of a situation. It can also help to identify inconsistencies or contradictions in assumptions or information, allowing for a more thorough and critical analysis.

In addition, using multiple intelligence disciplines and sources can help to support field agents in their operations. For example, a combination of HUMINT and IMINT can provide valuable information on the location and activities of target individuals or groups, while SIGINT and ELINT can provide technical details on communication systems and electronic equipment.

An example of using multiple intelligence disciplines and sources can be seen in the James Bond film Skyfall (2012). In the film, Bond and MI6 are trying to track down the villain, Raoul Silva, who has hacked into MI6's computer system and stolen classified information. To gather intelligence on Silva's whereabouts and activities, they use a combination of HUMINT (such as interrogating suspects and undercover work), SIGINT (intercepting communications), and IMINT (using satellite imagery). This allows them to gather a more complete and accurate understanding of Silva's movements and plans, which they can use to plan and execute an operation to capture him.

Magic principles used in Tradecraft

Ditch principle

One key aspect of the ditch principle is the idea that a magician should always have a way to distract or divert the audience's attention, even if their original plan falls through. This can be achieved through misdirection, sleight of hand, or other techniques that help to keep the audience's attention focused elsewhere while the magician makes adjustments or changes to their plan.

The ditch principle is a concept that can also be applied to the spycraft field, where contingency plans are often necessary in case an operation goes awry or unexpected obstacles arise. In espionage, the ability to adapt and think on one's feet can be crucial to the success of a mission.

One way the ditch principle can be applied in spycraft is by having multiple escape routes or methods of communication available in case the primary plan is compromised. For example, a spy might have multiple safe houses or hiding places that they can retreat to in case their cover is blown, or they might have a variety of ways to communicate with their superiors or fellow agents in case their usual methods are compromised.

Another way in which the ditch principle can be applied in spycraft is by having backup plans in place for completing a mission even if the primary plan fails. For example, suppose a spy's cover is blown and they cannot complete their mission as originally intended. In that case, they might need to devise an alternative plan to gather the necessary information or achieve their objectives. This might involve finding new information sources, altering tactics, or finding ways to distract or mislead their opponents to complete their mission.

The steal principle

In magic theory, the steal principle refers to using misdirection or sleight of hand to secretly take an object from one place and move it to another without the audience noticing. This can be achieved through various techniques, such as palming, finger palming, or using other objects to distract the audience's attention while the object is moved.

The steal principle is often used in magic tricks to create the illusion of an object appearing or disappearing or to create the impression that a magician has supernatural powers. It can be a useful