This strategm has ancient origination as we can see from the story of Balaam in the old testament. Balam was commissioned by the King of the Moabites to curse the children of Israel who had been brought out of Egypt by Moses. Balaam could not curse them, however, because the Lord intervened.

Instead, because he desired the riches extended by the King, he counseled him that the children of Israel could not be cursed unless they sinned and committed trespass against the Lord. After that, the Moabites went in to the children of Israel and enticed them to commit whoredoms and worship false gods. Such tactics have been used ever since to weaken and take possesion of nations.