An impostor reportedly used artificial intelligence to convincingly impersonate the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, contacting at least three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a member of Congress in mid-June, according to Reuters. According to a classified State Department cable, the impersonator used AI-generated voice and text messages sent via SMS and the encrypted messaging app Signal. The individual created a Signal account with the display name “Marco.Rubio@state.gov” and left voicemails for at least two targets, while another received a text message inviting further communication on Signal.
The troubling development, first reported by the Washington Post, suggests the purpose of these contacts was likely to manipulate officials and gain access to sensitive information or accounts. The cable, which was distributed to all U.S. embassies and consulates, warned staff to alert external partners about the risk of fake accounts and impersonations. It noted that while there was no direct cyber threat to the department itself, information could be exposed if targeted individuals were compromised.
This incident is part of a broader trend of AI-driven impersonation campaigns targeting high-level officials. In a similar case earlier in 2025, scammers used AI to impersonate White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, prompting the FBI to warn government officials not to trust messages simply because they appear to come from senior U.S. officials.
Officials have not revealed the identities of those targeted or the specific contents of the messages, citing security concerns.
The State Department has launched an investigation and is working to strengthen its cybersecurity defenses.
“The State Department is aware of this incident and is currently investigating the matter,” a senior State Department official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity, adding, “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.”