FBI runs Facebook ads to entice would-be Russian spies

It doesn't hurt to try.

That appears to be the thinking of the FBI, which in September began running a series of Facebook ads designed to encourage people to walk into the Washington, D.C., field office. The paid advertisements, which are partially in Russian, just so happen to direct interested parties to the FBI's counterintelligence program.

"The FBI obtains the best intelligence to combat threats through information provided by the public," reads the ads' English copy. "If you have information that can help the FBI, visit us."

Russian text appears over the accompanying images, which CNN reports translates to various encouragements to, you know, consider having a friendly chat with the FBI.

"Isn't it time for you to make your move," asks the below ad in Russian according to CNN's translation.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

But it's not just about you, the ads insist. Think of your family.

"For your future, for the future of your family," CNN reports the below ad as reading.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Those who click through the "Learn More" button are informed by the FBI that they should consider lending a helping hand.

"The FBI obtains the best intelligence to combat this threat through information provided by the public," reads the linked counterintelligence page. "If you have information that can help the FBI fulfill this mission, visit us in person[.]"

According to Facebook's ad transparency page, the ad campaign is currently active.

It's not clear what effect, if any, these low-rent recruitment efforts have had. Importantly, this could simply be an effort to unnerve Russian government operatives living and working in D.C. — an elaborate troll, in other words.

Considering the Russian government's involvement with a Facebook-based troll army, that explanation would certainly provide a bit of comical symmetry to the current mess that is today's social media landscape.

However, if these ads do inspire some American-loving Russian spy to defect to the FBI, then the paltry amount of money offered — $1,210 or less, according to Facebook — will perhaps be the best return on an ad spend in the agency's history.

But hey, as with most things these days, either way Facebook gets a piece.