Multiple outlets report that an imposter used artificial intelligence to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio in contacts with three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a member of Congress.

The individual reportedly used the Signal messaging app to make the contacts in mid-June.

According to Reuters, a cable stated that voicemails were left on two occasions and a text message on another occasion invited the targeted individual to communicate via Signal.

“The actor likely aimed to manipulate targeted individuals using AI-generated text and voice messages, with the goal of gaining access to information or accounts,” the cable said, according to Reuters.

Reuters provided further details:

The State Department cable, dated July 3, was sent to all diplomatic and consular posts and suggests that staff warn external partners about fake accounts and impersonations.

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“There is no direct cyber threat to the department from this campaign, but information shared with a third party could be exposed if targeted individuals are compromised,” it said.

The cable referred to a second effort in April that was attributed to a Russia-linked hacker who conducted a spear phishing campaign targeting think tanks, Eastern European activists and dissidents and former State Department officials.

The perpetrator copied a fake “@state.gov” email address on the messages as well as logos and branding used by State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Technology, it said.

“The actor demonstrated extensive knowledge of the department’s naming conventions and internal documentation,” it said.

Reports of the Rubio impersonator follow federal authorities investigating an effort to impersonate White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

CNN noted:

The effort resembled investigated past activity to impersonate senior US officials, the cable said. That activity was under FBI investigation. CNN reported in May that a law enforcement investigation into efforts to impersonate President Donald Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, was underway.

External partners can report Rubio impersonations to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, the cable said. Internally, State Department personnel were advised to report impersonation attempts to diplomatic security.

 

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