An individual impersonating US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly contacted high-level officials, allegedly using AI-generated voices to manipulate them for access to sensitive information.
The unknown con artist is said to have reached out to at least five government officials, according to a State Department Cable.
Authorities have highlighted that unidentified individuals are utilizing AI software to send messages to these officials, mimicking Rubio’s voice and writing style.
It’s suspected that the fraudsters aim to manipulate influential officials “to gain access to information and accounts,” as mentioned in a Cable sent from Rubio’s office to State Department employees on July 3.
The impersonation efforts reportedly began in mid-June, with the con artist using text and encrypted messaging apps under the alias Marco.rubio@state.gov.
“The impersonator left a voicemail for at least two targeted individuals, and on one occasion, sent a text suggesting they communicate via signal,” noted the State Department Cable.
Whether or not high-ranking officials responded to these impersonators remains uncertain.
The Cable further revealed that other State Department employees were being spoofed through fake email addresses.
The State Department stated, “We will continue to conduct a thorough investigation and implement safeguards to prevent this occurrence in the future,” but did not disclose the names of the contacted officials or the contents of the fraudulent messages.
The Diplomatic Security Agency is currently looking into the matter, urging US diplomats to report any impersonation attempts. Non-governmental officials have been advised to notify the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center about the incident.
This case of AI-generated impersonation follows several recent attempts to pose as notable US officials.
In May, another unidentified individual pretended to be the White House Chief of Staff, reaching out to prominent Republican lawmakers and business figures.
