CyberSecurity news
FlagThis - #smishing
|
Nicole Kobie@itpro.com
//
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.
Share:
References :
Classification:
Nicole Kobie@itpro.com
//
The FBI has issued a warning about a rise in scams targeting U.S. government officials. Cybercriminals are using AI-generated voice clones and text messages to impersonate senior officials. This campaign, which started in April 2025, aims to trick current and former federal and state officials, as well as their contacts, into divulging sensitive information or granting unauthorized access to accounts. These tactics are referred to as "smishing" (malicious SMS messages) and "vishing" (fraudulent voice calls). The FBI is advising the public that if you receive a message claiming to be from a senior U.S. official, do not assume it is authentic.
The attackers use AI to create realistic voice deepfakes, making it difficult to distinguish between real and fake messages. They also leverage publicly available data to make their messages more convincing, exploiting human trust to infiltrate broader networks. The FBI has found that one method attackers use to gain access is by sending targeted individuals a malicious link under the guise of transitioning to a separate messaging platform. The use of AI-generated audio has increased sharply, as large language models have proliferated and improved their abilities to create lifelike audio. Once an account is compromised, it can be used in future attacks to target other government officials, their associates, and contacts by using trusted contact information they obtain. Stolen contact information acquired through social engineering schemes could also be used to impersonate contacts to elicit information or funds. The FBI advises that the scammers are using software to generate phone numbers that are not attributed to specific phones, making them more difficult to trace. Individuals should be vigilant and follow standard security advice, such as not trusting unsolicited messages and verifying requests through official channels.
Share:
References :
Classification:
Stu Sjouwerman@blog.knowbe4.com
//
A China-based cybercriminal gang known as the "Smishing Triad" is reportedly launching a wave of SMS phishing attacks, or "smishing," targeting users in both the US and the UK. These attacks are themed around road tolls, with victims receiving text messages that appear to be from toll road operators. The messages warn recipients of unpaid toll fees and potential fines if the fees are not promptly addressed. Cybersecurity researchers have issued warnings about this widespread and ongoing SMS phishing campaign, noting that it has been actively targeting toll road users since mid-October 2024, aiming to steal their financial information.
Researchers have linked the surge in these SMS scams to new features added to a popular commercial phishing kit sold in China. This kit simplifies the process of creating convincing lures that spoof toll road operators across multiple US states. The phishing pages are designed to closely mimic the websites of these operators as they appear on mobile devices, and in some cases, will not even load unless accessed from a mobile device. The goal of these kits is to obtain enough information from victims to add their payment cards to mobile wallets. These cards can then be used for fraudulent purchases in physical stores, online, or to launder money through shell companies. The phishing campaigns often impersonate U.S. electronic toll collection systems like E-ZPass, sending SMS messages and Apple iMessages to individuals across several states including Washington, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Ohio, Illinois, and Kansas. The texts prompt recipients to click on a fake link, often requiring them to reply with "Y" to activate the link, a tactic used in other phishing kits. Victims who click the link are directed to a fraudulent E-ZPass page where they are asked to enter personal and financial information, which is then stolen by the attackers.
Share:
References :
Classification:
|