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Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Fake ‘Marco Rubio' AI impersonator contacts officials: Sparks international cybersecurity alert
In a stunning development that underscores the growing threat of artificial intelligence in global diplomacy, the U.S. State Department has issued an urgent warning after an impostor used AI technology to convincingly impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio . The scammer contacted high-level officials in the United States and abroad, raising alarms about the security of digital communications among world leaders. According to a State Department cable distributed to all embassies and consulates, the impostor reached out to at least three foreign ministers, a U.S. senator, and a governor in mid-June. The messages, sent via text, Signal, and AI-generated voice mail, aimed to lure recipients into further conversation on encrypted platforms. The impersonator used a Signal account with the display name ' convincing but fake identifier designed to appear official and trustworthy. At least two officials received AI-generated voice messages that mimicked the Secretary's tone and cadence, while another was encouraged to move their conversation to Signal, a platform known for its strong encryption and privacy features. The State Department is actively investigating the incident but has not disclosed the identities of the targeted officials or the exact content of the messages, citing security concerns. Official response While officials described the scam as 'not very sophisticated,' they emphasized the importance of vigilance in the face of evolving threats. A spokesperson from the State Department stated, 'The department takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information and continuously takes steps to improve the department's cybersecurity posture to prevent future incidents.' The State Department has alerted all employees and foreign governments to be on guard for similar attempts, urging them to verify the authenticity of any unexpected communications. Additionally, the FBI is investigating the matter, following earlier warnings this year about malicious actors using AI to impersonate U.S. officials in attempts to extract sensitive information or funds. Not the first, and likely not the last This is not the first time senior U.S. officials have been targeted by digital impersonation scams. In May, someone posing as White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles contacted senators, governors, and business leaders using similar tactics involving AI-generated messages and fake accounts. Live Events The FBI has issued stern cautions: 'If you receive a message claiming to be from a senior U.S. official, do not assume it is authentic.'
Business Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
Rubio imposter used AI to message high-level officials: reports
[WASHINGTON] An imposter posing as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent AI-generated voice and text messages to high-level officials and foreign ministers, reports said Tuesday, the latest American official to be targeted by impersonators. A cable from the top US diplomat's office said the unidentified culprit was likely seeking to manipulate powerful officials 'with the goal of gaining access to information or accounts,' the Washington Post and other US media reported. The imposter contacted at least three foreign ministers, a US state governor, and a member of Congress using both text messaging and the encrypted messaging app Signal, according to the cable dated July 3. Starting in mid-June, the imposter created a Signal account using the display name ' to contact the unsuspecting officials, it added. 'The actor left voicemails on Signal for at least two targeted individuals and in one instance, sent a text message inviting the individual to communicate on Signal,' said the cable. The contents of the messages were unclear. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Responding to an AFP request for comment, the State Department said it was aware of the incident and was 'currently investigating the matter.' 'The Department takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information and continuously takes steps to improve the department's cybersecurity posture to prevent future incidents,' said a senior State Department official. The impersonation of Rubio was one of 'two distinct campaigns' being probed in which threat actors impersonate State Department personnel via email and messaging apps, the cable said. The second campaign began in April and involves a 'Russia-linked cyber actor' who conducted a phishing campaign targeting personal Gmail accounts associated with think tank scholars, Eastern Europe-based activists and dissidents, journalists and former officials, it said. The cyber actor posed as a 'fictitious' State Department official and sought to tap into the contents of the users' Gmail accounts, added the cable. 'Malicious actors' The hoaxes follow an FBI warning that since April cyber actors have impersonated senior US officials to target their contacts, including current and former federal or state government officials. 'The malicious actors have sent text messages and AI-generated voice messages - techniques known as smishing and vishing, respectively - that claim to come from a senior US official in an effort to establish rapport before gaining access to personal accounts,' the FBI said in May. In May, President Donald Trump said an impersonator breached the phone of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. US senators, governors and business executives received text messages and phone calls from someone claiming to be Wiles, the Wall Street Journal reported. The breach prompted a White House and FBI investigation, but Trump played down the threat, saying Wiles 'can handle it.' Senior Trump administration officials have courted criticism for using Signal and other unofficial channels for government work. In March, then-national security advisor Mike Waltz inadvertently added a journalist to a Signal chat group discussing US strikes in Yemen. The episode led to Waltz's ouster. With proliferating AI voice cloning tools - which are cheap, easy to use and hard to trace - disinformation researchers fret the impact of audio deepfakes to impersonate or smear celebrities and politicians. Last year, a robocall impersonating then-president Joe Biden stoked public alarm about such deepfakes. The robocall urged New Hampshire residents not to cast ballots in a Democratic primary, prompting authorities to launch a probe into possible voter suppression and triggering demands from campaigners for stricter guardrails around generative AI tools. AFP
The Sun
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
AI impersonator targets US officials posing as Marco Rubio
WASHINGTON: An imposter posing as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio used AI-generated voice and text messages to contact high-level officials, including foreign ministers and a US governor, according to reports. The fraudulent communications, sent via encrypted messaging app Signal, aimed to manipulate officials for potential information access. A State Department cable revealed the imposter created a Signal account under the display name ' in mid-June. The individual left voicemails and sent texts, though the message contents remain undisclosed. The State Department confirmed awareness of the incident, stating it is under investigation to strengthen cybersecurity measures. The incident is part of two separate campaigns under scrutiny. The second involves a Russia-linked cyber actor impersonating a fictitious State Department official since April, targeting think tank scholars, activists, and journalists through phishing attempts on personal Gmail accounts. The FBI had previously warned of similar schemes, where malicious actors impersonate senior US officials via AI-generated voice messages (vishing) or texts (smishing) to gain trust and access sensitive accounts. In May, an impersonator breached White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles' contacts, prompting an FBI probe. Experts warn that AI voice cloning tools, now widely accessible, heighten risks of deepfake disinformation. Last year, a robocall mimicking President Joe Biden urged voters in New Hampshire to skip the Democratic primary, raising concerns over AI-driven election interference.
