AI Deepfake Voicemails Target High-Level Officials
In June, an advanced impersonation campaign used artificial intelligence to target senior U.S. and international leaders by posing as Secretary of State Marco Rubio through AI-generated deepfake voicemails, according to a diplomatic cable reviewed by Reuters.
The perpetrator contacted multiple high-profile individuals, including three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a member of Congress, using the Signal encrypted messaging app. Voicemails mimicking Rubio’s voice were left for at least two targets, while at least one individual received a message prompting them to move their conversation to Signal.
“The actor likely aimed to manipulate targeted individuals using AI-generated text and voice messages to gain access to information or accounts,” the cable stated.
The Washington Post first reported the attempted impersonation. A senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the agency’s awareness and active investigation into the incident.
“The State Department is aware of this incident and is currently investigating the matter,” the official said. “The Department takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information and continuously takes steps to improve the Department’s cybersecurity posture to prevent future incidents.”
Dated July 3, the cable was distributed to all U.S. embassies and consulates, urging staff to inform external partners about the growing risks of impersonation campaigns and digital identity fraud.
“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 warned.
Although the cable did not attribute the attack to a specific actor, it drew parallels with an April incident involving a Russia-linked cyber operation. That phishing campaign mimicked “@state.gov” email addresses and used logos from the Bureau of Diplomatic Technology in an attempt to deceive Eastern European activists, dissidents, former U.S. officials, and think tanks.
According to the cable, “The actor demonstrated extensive knowledge of the department’s naming conventions and internal documentation.” Industry analysts later tied that activity to a cyber group linked with the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service.
The latest impersonation attempt follows a separate probe, revealed by the Wall Street Journal, into a campaign attempting to pose as White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
