Spamouflage Network
Influence Operation Analysis

Spamouflage (also known as Dragonbridge or Storm 1376) is a Chinese state-linked influence operation that has been active since 2017, making it one of the longest-running coordinated disinformation campaigns targeting Western democracies.1 In August 2023, Meta identified it as "the largest known cross-platform covert influence operation in the world," removing over 7,700 Facebook accounts, 954 Pages, 15 Groups, and 15 Instagram accounts connected to the network.2 The operation spans more than 50 platforms including YouTube, TikTok, X (Twitter), and Reddit, employing a workforce that operates on clear shift patterns—with activity concentrated in mid-morning and early afternoon Beijing time.2

Meta's investigation revealed that operators "tried to conceal their identities and coordination" but ultimately traced the network to "individuals associated with Chinese law enforcement."2 The U.S. Department of Justice has linked Spamouflage to the Ministry of Public Security's "912 Special Project Working Group," resulting in indictments against 34 Chinese national police officers in April 2023 for transnational repression schemes.3 Internal evidence suggests the campaign operates under production quotas rather than strategic impact goals, with operators working from geographically dispersed locations while receiving centralized content directions and sharing proxy infrastructure.2

Ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, Graphika researchers documented an evolution in Spamouflage tactics: the operation began deploying fake accounts impersonating American voters, soldiers, and news outlets across social media platforms.4 These accounts posted divisive content about abortion rights, homelessness, Ukraine, and Israel—"attempting to build their fake identities less around an individual party and more around the idea of U.S. patriotism or national pride," according to Graphika's chief intelligence officer.4 While most accounts achieved minimal engagement, one TikTok video mocking President Biden reached 1.5 million views before removal, demonstrating the operation's occasional ability to achieve viral reach through sheer volume.4

Despite its unprecedented scale, Spamouflage has been notably ineffective at generating authentic engagement. Ben Nimmo, Meta's global threat intelligence lead, observed: "There's nothing to suggest that anywhere across the internet this operation has really been systematically landing any kind of audience yet."1 Analysis indicates the campaign relies on quantity over quality, with posts featuring linguistic errors, copied-and-pasted comments creating "hundreds of identical posts," and follower counts inflated by purchasing spam pages from operators in Vietnam and Bangladesh.1 Nevertheless, the persistence and resources dedicated to the operation—spanning years and thousands of accounts—reflect a long-term strategic commitment by Chinese authorities to shape Western perceptions and sow internal divisions.24