Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) says it is detaining an American Central Intelligence Agency officer who allegedly tried to recruit a Russian to become a double agent.  The man officially works at the US Embassy and will be deported.

The man is identified as Ryan Christopher Fogle and the Russians splattered his photos all over the Internet.  The FSB says Fogle had been “working under the guise of” third secretary in the political department of the United States Embassy in Moscow.  He was arrested wearing a cheap blond wig, a blue checked shirt and a baseball cap.  Fogle was carrying printed instructions for prospective double agents, a stack of 500 Euro notes, and other technical devices.

Turning on the Motherland is apparently a lucrative gig.  The letter, signed “your friends,” offers $100,000 “to discuss your experience, expertise and cooperation,” with much greater rewards for answering “specific questions.”

It goes on to say that “we can offer up to $1 million a year for long-term cooperation, with extra bonuses if we receive some helpful information.”  Communications were to be addressed to an enigmatic e-mail address, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

The Russian Foreign Ministry has summoned the US Ambassador to respond to the arrest.