Double agent - Definition and Overview

A double agent pretends to spy on a target organization on behalf of a controlling organization, but in fact is loyal to the target organization. Double agents may be agents of the target organization who infiltrate the controlling organization, or may be previously loyal agents of the controlling organization who have been captured and turned by the target.

Double agents are often used to transmit disinformation or to identify other agents as part of counter-espionage operations.

List of double agents

• Aldrich Ames
• April Fool
• Dusko Popov (Tricycle)
• Eddie Chapman (Codename Zig-Zag)
• George Blake
• Guy Burgess
• Johann Wenzel
• Juan Pujol Garcia
• Katrina Leung
• Mathilde Carré
• Mikel Lejarza
• Mutt and Jeff
• Oleg Gordievsky

Events in which double agents played an important role

• Babington plot
• Battle of Normandy

See also

• Espionage
• Double Cross System
• Dangle

Example Usage of Double