LinkedIn Approach for “Awareness Campaign”
As Hungarians head to the polls in a legislative election that could end Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule, a French geopolitical analyst has exposed a covert influence operation. Louis Duclos reported being contacted directly on LinkedIn to participate in what was presented as a European awareness campaign concerning the Hungarian election.
The Offer: $450 to Attack Opposition
According to Duclos, who shared screenshot evidence, the recruiter stated he would be “perfect for this campaign” after seeing his political content. The offer escalated to a proposal for him to post a long message on Twitter or Facebook attacking a Hungarian politician from the opposition party Tisza. Duclos had no doubt about the objective: to manipulate voters in favor of Viktor Orbán.
Anonymous Client and Payment Details
After Duclos requested details, the interlocutor—a young woman believed to be from India—said the campaign was managed by someone named Ivaan Grey. The payment offered was $450 per publication via PayPal, Binance, or bank transfer. The ultimate client funding the operation preferred to remain anonymous. Duclos suggested the recruiter was likely earning a commission for each “client” she secured for the campaign.
Broader Concerns Over Disinformation Tactics
The revelations come a day after the NGO Alliance4Europe denounced pro-Orbán influence operations on social media. The incident has drawn attention from diplomatic circles, with France’s ambassador to Poland, Étienne de Poncins, calling it particularly interesting for “better understanding the functioning of defamation and disinformation campaigns.” The incident underscores the opaque digital tactics being deployed in a high-stakes election where Orbán’s Fidesz party faces a serious challenge from the pro-European, conservative Tisza party led by Péter Magyar.
