Rubio Impersonator Uses AI to Target Foreign Ministers – New India Abroad Reports

 

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An alarming case of digital deception has surfaced, with an AI-generated voice used to impersonate U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in communications with foreign officials, reports New India Abroad. According to a confidential cable reviewed by Reuters on July 8, the impersonator contacted three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a member of Congress in mid-June using the Signal messaging app.

The cable reveals that the impersonator left voicemails in two cases and sent a text message in another, urging the recipient to continue the conversation on Signal. This sophisticated use of AI-generated voice and text raises serious concerns about cyber-enabled influence operations and their growing reach into international diplomacy.

According to the cable, “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.” Though the campaign didn’t pose a direct cyber threat to the State Department, it highlighted the risk of sensitive information being exposed through third-party compromises.

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The State Department issued a warning to all diplomatic and consular posts, advising staff to alert external partners about fake accounts and impersonation attempts. The incident underscores the evolving threat landscape posed by artificial intelligence in international communications.

This wasn't the first such attempt. A separate campaign in April, attributed to a Russia-linked hacker, used spear phishing tactics to target Eastern European activists, think tanks, and former U.S. diplomats. That attack employed a spoofed "@state.gov" email address and official branding to deceive recipients, demonstrating deep familiarity with State Department operations.

The New India Abroad continues to monitor such developments, bringing critical insights into how emerging technologies like AI are being weaponized in the realm of global diplomacy and cybersecurity.

 


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