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Nicole Kobie@itpro.com
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The FBI has issued a warning regarding a major fraud campaign where cybercriminals are using AI-generated audio deepfakes and text messages to impersonate senior U.S. government officials. This scheme, which has been active since April 2025, targets current and former federal and state officials, along with their contacts, aiming to gain access to their personal accounts. The attackers are employing tactics known as smishing (SMS phishing) and vishing (voice phishing) to establish rapport before attempting to compromise accounts, potentially leading to the theft of sensitive information or funds.
The FBI advises that if individuals receive a message claiming to be from a senior U.S. official, they should not assume it is authentic. The agency suggests verifying the communication through official channels, such as calling back using the official number of the relevant department, rather than the number provided in the suspicious message. Additionally, recipients should be wary of unusual verbal tics or word choices that could indicate a deepfake in operation.
This warning comes amidst a surge in social engineering attacks leveraging AI-based voice cloning. A recent report indicated a 442% increase in the use of AI voice cloning between the first and second halves of 2024. Experts caution that the stolen credentials or information obtained through these schemes could be used to further impersonate officials, spread disinformation, or commit financial fraud, highlighting the increasing sophistication and potential damage of AI-enhanced fraud.
ImgSrc: cdn.mos.cms.fut
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The FBI advises that if individuals receive a message claiming to be from a senior U.S. official, they should not assume it is authentic. The agency suggests verifying the communication through official channels, such as calling back using the official number of the relevant department, rather than the number provided in the suspicious message. Additionally, recipients should be wary of unusual verbal tics or word choices that could indicate a deepfake in operation.
This warning comes amidst a surge in social engineering attacks leveraging AI-based voice cloning. A recent report indicated a 442% increase in the use of AI voice cloning between the first and second halves of 2024. Experts caution that the stolen credentials or information obtained through these schemes could be used to further impersonate officials, spread disinformation, or commit financial fraud, highlighting the increasing sophistication and potential damage of AI-enhanced fraud.
ImgSrc: cdn.mos.cms.fut
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References :
- Threats | CyberScoop: FBI warns of fake texts, deepfake calls impersonating senior U.S. officials
- Talkback Resources: Deepfake voices of senior US officials used in scams: FBI [social]
- thecyberexpress.com: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released a public service announcement to warn individuals about a growing involving text and voice messaging scams. Since April 2025, malicious actors have been impersonating senior U.S. government officials to target individuals, especially current or former senior federal and state officials, as well as their contacts. The FBI is urging the public to remain vigilant and take steps to protect themselves from these schemes. So let's understand what exactly is happening? The FBI has disclosed a coordinated campaign involving smishing and vishing—two cyber techniques used to deceive people into revealing sensitive information or giving unauthorized access to their personal accounts.
- www.itpro.com: The FBI says hackers are using AI voice clones to impersonate US government officials
- The Register - Software: The FBI has warned that fraudsters are impersonating "senior US officials" using deepfakes as part of a major fraud campaign.
- www.cybersecuritydive.com: Hackers are increasingly using vishing and smishing for state-backed espionage campaigns and major ransomware attacks.
- Tech Monitor: FBI warns of AI-generated audio deepfakes targeting US officials
- cyberinsider.com: Senior U.S. Officials Impersonated in AI-Powered Vishing Campaign
- cyberscoop.com: FBI warns of fake texts, deepfake calls impersonating senior U.S. officials
- thecyberexpress.com: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released a public service announcement to warn individuals about a growing involving text and voice messaging scams. Since April 2025, malicious actors have been impersonating senior U.S. government officials to target individuals, especially current or former senior federal and state officials, as well as their contacts.
- BleepingComputer: FBI: US officials targeted in voice deepfake attacks since April
- securityaffairs.com: US Government officials targeted with texts and AI-generated deepfake voice messages impersonating senior U.S. officials
- www.techradar.com: The FBI is warning about ongoing smishing and vishing attacks impersonating senior US officials.
- hackread.com: FBI warns of AI Voice Scams Impersonating US Govt Officials
- Security Affairs: US Government officials targeted with texts and AI-generated deepfake voice messages impersonating senior U.S. officials Shields up US
- iHLS: The FBI has flagged a concerning wave of cyber activity involving AI-generated content used to impersonate high-ranking U.S. government officials.