Summary
The FBI warned that unknown actors have used AI voice cloning and other synthetic-media tools to impersonate senior U.S. government officials and to extract sensitive or classified information or conduct scams. The bureau said the campaign uses SMS to initiate contact, moves victims to encrypted messaging apps (Signal, WhatsApp, Telegram) or voice calls, and then employs familiar talking points—including offers of meetings with high-ranking officials or board nominations—to obtain passport photos, access to contact lists, wire transfers, or other sensitive data.
The FBI originally said the activity dated to at least April 2025 but updated its timeline, saying there is evidence of such impersonation dating back to 2023. The bureau did not specify how many individuals or actors were involved.