TLDR: An unknown actor utilized artificial intelligence to impersonate U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, contacting at least five high-ranking officials including foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a U.S. member of Congress. The communications, which involved AI-generated voice and text messages, were primarily conducted via the encrypted messaging app Signal, with the likely aim of acquiring sensitive information. The U.S. State Department has confirmed the incident and launched an investigation, emphasizing its commitment to bolstering cybersecurity measures.
Washington D.C. – On July 8, 2025, reports emerged detailing a sophisticated impersonation scheme where an unidentified individual leveraged artificial intelligence to mimic U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This actor successfully contacted multiple high-level officials, including three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a U.S. member of Congress, primarily through the encrypted messaging application Signal.
The impersonator created a Signal account in mid-June 2025, using the display name ‘[email protected],’ an address not genuinely associated with the Secretary. The method of deception involved both AI-generated voice messages and text communications. According to a July diplomatic cable, the actor left voicemails for at least two targeted individuals and, in one instance, sent a text message inviting further communication on Signal. The primary objective of these attempts is believed to be the manipulation of targeted individuals to gain access to sensitive information or accounts.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed the accuracy of these reports during a press briefing, stating that an investigation is actively underway. Miller emphasized the department’s commitment to safeguarding information and continuously strengthening its cybersecurity framework to prevent future incidents. However, due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, specific details regarding the content of the messages or the identities of all targeted individuals were not disclosed.
This incident underscores the escalating threat posed by advanced AI technologies, particularly deepfakes, in cybercrime and political manipulation. A U.S. diplomatic cable dated July 3, 2025, had already highlighted the risk of data breaches stemming from AI-generated audio and text messages designed to deceive and manipulate. The increasing realism of AI-generated content, both visual and auditory, is making social engineering tactics more sophisticated and harder to detect.
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This is not an isolated event. A similar incident was reported in May 2025, where fake phone calls impersonating White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients were made to several U.S. Senators, with AI-generated voice also suspected. These cases indicate a concerning trend of ‘AI-enabled identity impersonation cyberattacks’ extending into the realms of politics and diplomacy, prompting urgent discussions within the government about robust preventive measures.
