Fake ‘Marco Rubio’ AI impersonator contacts officials: Sparks international cybersecurity alert

In a stunning development, the U.S. State Department has issued an urgent warning after an impostor used AI technology to convincingly impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The scammer contacted high-level officials in the United States and abroad, raising alarms about the security of digital communications among world leaders.

According to a State Department cable distributed to all embassies and consulates, the impostor reached out to at least three foreign ministers, a U.S. senator, and a governor in mid-June. The messages, sent via text, Signal, and AI-generated voice mail, aimed to lure recipients into further conversation on encrypted platforms.

The impersonator used a Signal account with the display name “Marco.Rubio@state.gov”—a convincing but fake identifier designed to appear official and trustworthy. At least two officials received AI-generated voice messages that mimicked the Secretary’s tone and cadence, while another was encouraged to move their conversation to Signal, a platform known for its strong encryption and privacy features. The State Department is actively investigating the incident but has not disclosed the identities of the targeted officials or the exact content of the messages, citing security concerns.

Official response

While officials described the scam as “not very sophisticated,” they emphasized the importance of vigilance in the face of evolving threats. A spokesperson from the State Department stated, “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.”
The State Department has alerted all employees and foreign governments to be on guard for similar attempts, urging them to verify the authenticity of any unexpected communications. Additionally, the FBI is investigating the matter, following earlier warnings this year about malicious actors using AI to impersonate U.S. officials in attempts to extract sensitive information or funds.

Not the first, and likely not the last

This is not the first time senior U.S. officials have been targeted by digital impersonation scams. In May, someone posing as White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles contacted senators, governors, and business leaders using similar tactics involving AI-generated messages and fake accounts.

The FBI has issued stern cautions: “If you receive a message claiming to be from a senior U.S. official, do not assume it is authentic.”