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Not An Example, that\'s just an example of plain spying. Or pretending to believe someone was a spy. Whatever.
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* In ''Literature/TheBible'', when Joseph had become vizier of Egypt and his brothers came to buy grain, Joseph pretended he thought they were this. As they had earlier sold him for a slave one can see why.
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* USS Pueblo
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* USS PuebloPueblo. This was a rather less subtle type, rather than being disguised as a commonplace civilian vessel it was openly a US Navy vessel, but officially a "technical research ship" that was supposedly [[BlatantLies researching atmospheric phenomena]]. The lack of a disguise meant that such ships could be equipped with a more extensive array of electronic surveillance devices it also meant their true mission was pretty much an open secret.
** Another "technical research ship" was the USS Liberty, infamously attacked by the Israeli military in an apparent case of mistaken identity during the [[UsefulNotes/ArabIsraeliConflict Six Day War]]. Whether Israel actually mistook the Liberty for a much smaller Egyptian ship as claimed remains deeply controversial to this day and quickly became fodder for conspiracy theories.
** Another "technical research ship" was the USS Liberty, infamously attacked by the Israeli military in an apparent case of mistaken identity during the [[UsefulNotes/ArabIsraeliConflict Six Day War]]. Whether Israel actually mistook the Liberty for a much smaller Egyptian ship as claimed remains deeply controversial to this day and quickly became fodder for conspiracy theories.
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A vehicle, in whatever medium, that looks like a civilian one, but is actually there to gather intelligence.
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A vehicle, in whatever medium, that looks like a civilian one, but is actually there to gather intelligence.
intelligence. Typically disguised as fishing trawlers, because they're so ubiquitous on the oceans that even though every navy and spy agency knows fishing trawlers are used for spying there's no way to know ''which'' ones are spy ships and which are genuinely just there to catch fish.
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Supertope of VanInBlack.
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* At one point in Literature/TheThrawnTrilogy, smuggler and information broker Talon Karrde is discreetly informed by an ally that the ally's ships will attack the Imperial shipyard at Bilbringi. In order to spy on the resulting chaos, Karrde arranges for his ships to take on a legitimate shipping contract to deliver parts to Bilbringi (a ruse which he uses several times, equally often for spying or sabotage). [[MeaningfulBackgroundEvent While there]], they also happen to record a mysterious but trivial detail that ultimately proves highly valuable to the New Republic.
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** Fast [[{{Courier}} Courier Boats]], either [[DiplomaticImmunity operating in an official diplomatic capacity]] or simply under the employ of a merchant or journalist agency that would have legitimate need to send messages quickly.
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** Fast [[{{Courier}} Courier Boats]], either [[DiplomaticImmunity [[DiplomaticImpunity operating in an official diplomatic capacity]] or simply under the employ of a merchant or journalist agency that would have legitimate need to send messages quickly.
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Not JamesBond/[[Series/{{Alias}} Sydney Bristow]], although that's one for TheShipYard...
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Not JamesBond/[[Series/{{Alias}} Film/JamesBond/[[Series/{{Alias}} Sydney Bristow]], although that's one for TheShipYard...
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* As a LongRunner series of movies about spies, Film/JamesBond films of course have several examples:
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* As a LongRunner series of movies about spies, Film/JamesBond ''Film/JamesBond'' films of course have several examples:
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* ''TheFinalCountdown'' has the ''[=USS=] Nimitz'' task force shadowed by a Soviet-flagged "fishing trawler" that isn't doing much fishing.
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* ''TheFinalCountdown'' ''Film/TheFinalCountdown'' has the ''[=USS=] Nimitz'' task force shadowed by a Soviet-flagged "fishing trawler" that isn't doing much fishing.
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* In TheBible, when Joseph had become vizier of Egypt and his brothers came to buy grain, Joseph pretended he thought they were this. As they had earlier sold him for a slave one can see why.
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* In TheBible, ''Literature/TheBible'', when Joseph had become vizier of Egypt and his brothers came to buy grain, Joseph pretended he thought they were this. As they had earlier sold him for a slave one can see why.
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** Merchant ships trying to shadow a military force on the move is much rarer (as it is very difficult behavior to justify InUniverse). The one time it happens, the Havenite warship being tailed [[RealityEnsues turns around and attacks their follower]] once it becomes clear there is no legitimate reason for them to be following them. Unfortunately for the destroyer crew, the merchant ship was actually a [[AWolfInSheepsClothing heavily armed privateer]], and the ensuing battle [[CurbStompBattle is a short one in the Privateer's favor.]]
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Dedicated fast [[{{Courier}} Courier Boats]], either [[DiplomaticImmunity operating in an official diplomatic capacity]] or simply under the employ of a merchant or journalist agency that would have legitimate need to send messages quickly.
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* ''Literature/HonorHarrington'' presented many variations on this, ranging from dedicated spy ships disguised as merchant vessels, to actual merchant vessels collecting what information they could for their government (including merchant ships captained by [[HomeGuard reserve officers]] from their home navies), to dedicated fast [[{{Courier}} Courier Boats]] either [[DiplomaticImmunity operating in an official diplomatic capacity]] or simply under the employ of a merchant or journalist agency that would have legitimate need to send messages quickly. And numerous other variations of all of the above. On occasion, alert naval officers {{lampshade}} the fact that a particular merchant vessel has an unusually expensive and well-maintained communications suite or engine setup.
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* ''Literature/HonorHarrington'' presented many variations on this, ranging from dedicated this:
** Dedicated spy ships disguised as merchant vessels, sometimes trolling around for suspiciously long periods of time waiting for a cargo toactual arrive.
** Actual merchant vessels collecting what information they could for theirgovernment (including government, including merchant ships captained by [[HomeGuard reserve officers]] from their home navies), navies). These ships would sometimes be fitted out with better communications equipment or engines to dedicated help them gather info and run it home, in addition to carrying out their actual freight-hauling business.
Dedicated fast [[{{Courier}} CourierBoats]] Boats]], either [[DiplomaticImmunity operating in an official diplomatic capacity]] or simply under the employ of a merchant or journalist agency that would have legitimate need to send messages quickly. And numerous other variations of all of the above. On occasion, alert naval officers {{lampshade}} the fact that a particular merchant vessel has an unusually expensive and well-maintained communications suite or engine setup.
quickly.
** Dedicated spy ships disguised as merchant vessels, sometimes trolling around for suspiciously long periods of time waiting for a cargo to
** Actual merchant vessels collecting what information they could for their
Dedicated fast [[{{Courier}} Courier
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* ''Literature/HonorHarrington'' presented many variations on this, ranging from dedicated spy ships disguised as merchant vessels, to actual merchant vessels collecting what information they could for their government (including merchant ships captained by [[HomeGuard reserve officers]] from their home navies), to dedicated fast [[{{Courier}} Courier Boats]] either [[DiplomaticImmunity operating in an official diplomatic capacity]] or simply under the employ of a merchant or journalist agency that would have legitimate need to send messages quickly. And numerous other variations of all of the above. On occasion, alert naval officers {{lampshade}} the fact that a particular merchant vessel has an unusually expensive and well-maintained communications suite or engine setup.
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[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/russianspyftvolga_1934.png]]
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Oops, duplicate.
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[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fbi350_5245.png]]]]
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Supertope of VanInBlack.
See also BlackHelicopter.
See also BlackHelicopter.
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[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fbi350_5245.png]]]]
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* In ''[[GIJoeARealAmericanHero G.I. Joe Special Missions]]'' #1, the Joes stage a mission on a fake fishing trawler.
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* In ''[[GIJoeARealAmericanHero ''[[ComicBook/GIJoeARealAmericanHeroMarvel G.I. Joe Special Missions]]'' #1, the Joes stage a mission on a fake fishing trawler.
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!!Examples
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[[AC:ComicBooks]]
* In ''[[GIJoeARealAmericanHero G.I. Joe Special Missions]]'' #1, the Joes stage a mission on a fake fishing trawler.
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* ''Film/TheWackiestShipInTheArmy'' (and the subsequent RecycledTheSeries) was set in the Pacific theater of World War II and centered about the crew of the a leaky wooden twin-masted schooner (the USS ''Echo'' in the movie and the USS ''Kiwi'' in the series) whose mission was to place spies behind Japanese lines. The ship's cover was an itinerant trading vessel sailing under a neutral flag.
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<<|EspionageTropes|>>
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<<|EspionageTropes|>>
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[[AC: TabletopGames]]
*Free Traders can sometimes do this in {{Traveller}}.
*Free Traders can sometimes do this in {{Traveller}}.
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[[AC: VideoGames]]
* The second mission of ''AceCombat5'' has the player character and his squadron investigating a reconnaissance vessel that had launched [=UAVs=] near the Osean shoreline. Later in the game, the ''Andromeda'''s signal intercept capabilities play a key role in the plot.
* The second mission of ''AceCombat5'' has the player character and his squadron investigating a reconnaissance vessel that had launched [=UAVs=] near the Osean shoreline. Later in the game, the ''Andromeda'''s signal intercept capabilities play a key role in the plot.
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* The ''DoctorWho'' story "Remembrance of the Daleks" has a variation. The Seventh Doctor encounters an antenna van that ''seems'' to be tracking who's paid their license fee, but is actually tracking alien (read: Dalek) energy signatures.
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* The ''DoctorWho'' story "Remembrance of the Daleks" has a variation. The Seventh Doctor encounters an antenna van that ''seems'' to be tracking who's paid their TV license fee, but is actually tracking alien (read: Dalek) energy signatures.
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[[AC: LiveActionTV]]
* The ''DoctorWho'' story "Remembrance of the Daleks" has a variation. The Seventh Doctor encounters an antenna van that ''seems'' to be tracking who's paid their license fee, but is actually tracking alien (read: Dalek) energy signatures.
* The ''DoctorWho'' story "Remembrance of the Daleks" has a variation. The Seventh Doctor encounters an antenna van that ''seems'' to be tracking who's paid their license fee, but is actually tracking alien (read: Dalek) energy signatures.
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* In TheBible, when Joseph had become vizier of Egypt and his brothers came to buy grain, Joseph pretended he thought they were this. As they had earlier sold him for a slave one can see why.
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* GhengisKhan and probably every other ruler in the world used merchants as spies from time to time. As they are among the few people who will be traveling, it makes sense.
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** Truth in television, see real life below
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** The USSR had at least ten types of these, such as the "Okean" and "Primorye" classes. Much of their commercial fishing fleet was, according to TheOtherWiki, also engaged in spying ops on the side.
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** The USSR had at least ten types of these, such as the "Okean" and "Primorye" classes. Much of their commercial fishing fleet was, according to TheOtherWiki, also engaged in spying ops on the side. These "trawlers" frequently were used to spy on US carrier battle groups as that was the greatest threat to the Soviet Navy.
* Before WWII, a small Japanese fishing boat was actually mapping the coast of Southern California and northern Mexico, and listening to radio signals.
* Before WWII, a small Japanese fishing boat was actually mapping the coast of Southern California and northern Mexico, and listening to radio signals.
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* Before WWII, a small Japanese fishing boat was actually mapping the coast of Southern California and northern Mexico, and listening to radio signals.
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* Before WWII, In modern times submarines have largely taken over this role from surface vessels as they are more easily able to escape detection(obviously). This largely happened as a small Japanese fishing boat was actually mapping result of the coast of Southern California USS Pueblo incident. This is known as ELINT(Electronic Intelligence) and northern Mexico, and listening to radio signals.
is one of the most useful purposes for submarines today.
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** An odd variation in ''TheManWithTheGoldenGun''. James Bond discovers that the partially sunken RMS Queen Elizabeth in Hong Kong Victoria harbor has been turned into a British listening post for spying on the Chinese.
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** An odd variation in ''TheManWithTheGoldenGun''.''Film/TheManWithTheGoldenGun''. James Bond discovers that the partially sunken RMS Queen Elizabeth in Hong Kong Victoria harbor has been turned into a British listening post for spying on the Chinese.
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* ''The Final Countdown'' has the ''[=USS=] Nimitz'' task force shadowed by a Soviet-flagged "fishing trawler" that isn't doing much fishing.
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* ''The Final Countdown'' ''TheFinalCountdown'' has the ''[=USS=] Nimitz'' task force shadowed by a Soviet-flagged "fishing trawler" that isn't doing much fishing.
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* As a LongRunner series of movies about spies, JamesBond films of course have several examples:
** An odd variation in ''TheManWithTheGoldenGun''. JamesBond discovers that the partially sunken RMS Queen Elizabeth in Hong Kong Victoria harbor has been turned into a British listening post for spying on the Chinese.
** ''ForYourEyesOnly'' has one accidentally fish up a SeaMine and sink.
** This goes back to ''DrNo'': Quarrel runs a simple fishing boat, but he helps out secret agents all the time.
** An odd variation in ''TheManWithTheGoldenGun''. JamesBond discovers that the partially sunken RMS Queen Elizabeth in Hong Kong Victoria harbor has been turned into a British listening post for spying on the Chinese.
** ''ForYourEyesOnly'' has one accidentally fish up a SeaMine and sink.
** This goes back to ''DrNo'': Quarrel runs a simple fishing boat, but he helps out secret agents all the time.
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* As a LongRunner series of movies about spies, JamesBond Film/JamesBond films of course have several examples:
** An odd variation in ''TheManWithTheGoldenGun''.JamesBond James Bond discovers that the partially sunken RMS Queen Elizabeth in Hong Kong Victoria harbor has been turned into a British listening post for spying on the Chinese.
**''ForYourEyesOnly'' ''Film/ForYourEyesOnly'' has one accidentally fish up a SeaMine and sink.
** This goes back to''DrNo'': ''Film/DrNo'': Quarrel runs a simple fishing boat, but he helps out secret agents all the time.
** An odd variation in ''TheManWithTheGoldenGun''.
**
** This goes back to
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Not JamesBond/[[{{Alias}} Sydney Bristow]], although that's one for TheShipYard...
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Not JamesBond/[[{{Alias}} JamesBond/[[Series/{{Alias}} Sydney Bristow]], although that's one for TheShipYard...
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** "Homer the Father", a 2011 episode had a series of these, each of them having the initials of an American government agency [[IThoughtItMeant but standing for something completely different]] ([[ChinaTakesOverTheWorld CIA = Chinese Intelligence Agency]], [[CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys FBI = French Bureau of Investigation]], and [[TheATeam ATF = A-Team of Finland]]).
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** "Homer the Father", a 2011 episode had a series of these, each of them having the initials of an American government agency [[IThoughtItMeant but standing for something completely different]] ([[ChinaTakesOverTheWorld CIA = Chinese Intelligence Agency]], [[CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys FBI = French Bureau of Investigation]], and [[TheATeam [[Series/TheATeam ATF = A-Team of Finland]]).
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** "Homer the Father", a 2011 episode had a series of these, each of them having the initials of an American government agency [[IThoughtItMeant but standing for something completely different]] ([[ChinaTakesOverTheWorld CIA = Chinese Intelligence Agency]], [[CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys FBI = French Bureau of Investigation]], and [[TheATeam ATF = A-Team of Finland]]).
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* Tom Clancy's ''Without Remorse'' has Russian "fishing trawlers" following a fleet battlegroup on a highly classified and sensitive mission. Fortunately, they're known to be gathering intel and are easily fooled.
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* Before WWII, a small Japanese fishing boat was actually mapping the coast of Southern California and northern Mexico, and listening to radio signals.
