The Spy Who Loved Me: When East German Spies Broke Hearts In The Cold War | Sexpionage | Timeline

Sexpionage tells the stories of two women who were seduced by secret agents working for the East German intelligence service, the Stasi. At the height of the Cold War the Stasi would regularly despatch their agents to the West German capital, Bonn, armed with the task of forming long term relationships with single women working at embassies or government ministries. These women were unwittingly tapped for top secret information which was then passed on to the East. Both Gabriele Kliem and Margaret Hike had no idea that their lovers were spies until both women were arrested for treason. This film tells the story of the years they spent with their secret agent lovers and explores the feelings they are left with after the most significant relationships of their lives were revealed to be a sham.

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[ericg]

"We thought about how to penetrate these targets" lol

[John__]

The saddest part about all this is so many people live in abject loneliness, so deprived of human touch and connection that they fall into traps like this. Isolation exacts a terrible price, ultimately.

[hyr]

Speaking as a son of a former diplomat that was ensnared by a Russian Swallow in 1980, this documentary gave me much insight into this intelligence activity. Thanks for posting this video.

My dad's case is still a case study now in 2019 for every government civil servant in the foreign, military and home security service.

His case was even mentioned briefly in our former PM's biography. lol.

[calska]

Preying on lonely people. How incredibly sad.

[keitumetsem]

damn, the cold war was really cold. playing with people's lives like this

[oskardelitz]

When he said "she how lives with her 13 dogs" that seems like such an obvious, heart breaking coping mechanism.

[dalecouch]

"He was a wonderful listener." I bet!

[holydiver]

My wife works at Tesco, I never married her because I loved her, I married her because I want to know what’s happening behind closed doors at Tesco. I get all the gossip. Then I pass it on to Morrison’s...for a fee.

[waynesbutler]

I feel bad for these woman being that they were taken advantage of, you can still here the desperation they had and resulting pain in their voices even today .

[keelyleilani]

I'd love to see more documentaries about the Romeos. East Germany has a fascinating history.

[M.W.]

Wow, I had no expectations when I saw the title of this, but it was extremely sad on many levels.

[daniby]

Was anyone shocked at no display of remorse by the perpetrators? They were smiling and so satisfied with themselves, self confident, till the end and finding all sorts of explanations to minimize it all. Such a contrast in compare to the women expressions. Honestly, I cann’t tell whose minds are more screwed up in this story!

[ZheadMonkey]

He calls it a 'post-coital readiness to disclose information' - everyone else just calls it pillow talk.

[leeb.]

It’s completely ridiculous how these women will waste so many years of their lives on some part-time relationship that isn’t going anywhere. And then on top of that, he asks you to smuggle confidential documents that could send you to prison? Damn! At what point did they refuse to acknowledge that they were being used?

[redram]

“I had no idea the man I’ve been giving confidential info to all this time was a spy!”

[anthro]

17-years! That was the most shocking report. I felt sorry for those women until the stolen documents were discussed.

[ESUSAMEX]

I do not understand how anyone could sell out their own nation for a lover. I understand the need for love and sexual contact, but giving up secrets is a step too far. As a man, I am always on guard for women who start asking for money and things at a beginning of a relationship.


A woman once told me as I traveled around Mexico that any woman who really wants to be with you long term will not ask for expensive diners nor gifts. She'll be happy with just a plate of tacos and cold beer because she will be with the man she truly wants. That female advice served me well during my travels and life in general.

[joewheelmonger]

I love the moral ambiguity of this story. The women were victims of deception, but they were also willing spies as well who had to know that what they were doing wasn't legal, regardless of the motive. Their weaknesses were exploited, but in exchange they got very satisfying long term relationships out of the deal. No clear villians or heroes in this tale.

[RoseSharon]

Gabrielle certainly still hasn’t figured out that her spy romance was a fantasy and not real. She indeed was the perfect mouse in the trap.

[cutsceneenjoyerzz]

This is the long scam! When your partner asks for secrets, it should probly raise those red flags