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6d ago

AI Deepfake Scam Targets Top Diplomats as Rubio Impersonator Contacted Officials

An internal State Department investigation has prompted a global security alert following cloned voice messages, fake Signal profiles, bogus email accounts used to harvest credentials.

FILE - Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a signing ceremony for a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the State Department, June 27, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reacts as he testifies at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on U.S. President Donald Trump's State Department budget request for the Department of State, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo
The impersonator made a profile on Signal with the display name Marco.Rubio@state.gov.
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Overview

  • An unknown actor cloned Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s voice and writing style in mid-June, creating a Signal account under the display name [email protected] to contact high-level figures.
  • At least three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor and a member of Congress received AI-generated voicemails and text invitations to communicate on Signal.
  • A July 3 State Department cable revealed other employees were spoofed via fake email addresses in an apparent effort to steal information or account logins.
  • The State Department has launched an internal probe, issued global advisories to embassies and consulates, and is bolstering cybersecurity safeguards.
  • The FBI continues to monitor similar AI-enabled vishing and smishing schemes and advises officials to verify the authenticity of all senior-level digital communications.