Officials haven’t nabbed the person using AI software to send voice and text messages in Rubio’s voice and style over text messaging as well as Signal, the encrypted messaging app widely used by the Trump administration.
Besides Rubio, other State Department personnel were impersonated using email. However, no details have emerged yet on messages exchanged or the names of the targeted diplomats and officials.
The person reportedly created a new Signal account with the display name “Marco.Rubio@state.gov” to contact and left voicemails for at least two targeted individuals and even invited the individual to communicate on Signal, The Washington Post wrote, citing the cable.
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The State Department has said it will carry out a thorough investigation to ensure safety in future.
The cable sent by Rubio’s office to State Department employees on July 3 states that the individual has carried out a string of attempts since mid-June “with the goal of gaining access to information or accounts” to manipulate officials.
However, this is not the first time a US official has fallen prey to such impersonation attempts. In May, the White House and FBI led an investigation after a fraudster impersonating White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles contacting senators, governors and business executives, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The FBI had warned officials of a similar impersonation attempt using AI is on the rise and not to blindly trust messages from individuals claiming to be a US official.
Impersonating a federal officer or employee to deceive or obtain something is a crime.
