Impersonator uses AI to deceive officials claiming to be Marco Rubio

In the United States, an impersonator posing as Secretary of State Marco Rubio has made attempts to deceive high-ranking officials using artificial intelligence-generated messages. According to a diplomatic cable dated July 3, 2025, the impersonator contacted a minimum of five individuals, which included three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a member of Congress. The actor created a Signal messaging account under the false name marco.rubio@state.gov in mid-June and sent text messages and voicemails using a voice that mimicked Rubio's. The purpose behind these attempts appeared to be manipulation to gain access to sensitive information or accounts. The State Department's awareness of this significant breach has led to an urgent investigation into the activity. Despite the sophistication of the technology employed, officials characterized the impersonation attempts as not very sophisticated but still potentially dangerous. The impersonation incident may resemble previous attempts to impersonate high-level officials, including an earlier case involving Susie Wiles, the White House Chief of Staff, who also faced impersonation attempts in May. Law enforcement has been alerted and is monitoring for similar activities. The cable circulated among U.S. diplomatic and consular posts urged personnel to be vigilant for such scams and recommended reporting any impersonation attempts to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Non-Department officials were advised to report incidents to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. In light of this incident, the State Department is implementing measures to bolster cybersecurity and prevent future impersonations. Authorities continue to investigate the evolving tactics of cyber actors linked to acting impersonations posing as senior U.S. officials and calling for heightened awareness among government personnel. As the threat landscape evolves, and with foreign actors increasingly targeting U.S. diplomats and government officials, the need for reliable cybersecurity measures and communication protocols becomes paramount. The security breach involving Rubio's impersonation can potentially expose sensitive information if not addressed quickly and appropriately. The State Department's assurance of ongoing investigations reflects the seriousness with which they treat these threats, underscoring the geopolitical implications that arise from compromised communication lines.