The FBI has issued a warning about a new AI voice scam campaign where fraudsters impersonate high-ranking U.S. officials using artificial intelligence. The deceptive messages are aimed at government personnel and their associates, according to a Thursday announcement.
Scammers Use AI to Mimic U.S. Leaders
Since last month, scammers have employed smishing and vishing tactics — sending fake text and AI-generated voice messages — to trick recipients into believing they are in contact with a senior U.S. official. These messages often contain malicious links that redirect victims to external messaging platforms, giving fraudsters access to personal or official accounts.
Cybersecurity Risks and FBI’s Advisory
The FBI emphasized that these breaches allow attackers to exploit personal data to impersonate others, gather sensitive information, or solicit funds. “Contact information acquired through social engineering schemes could also be used to impersonate contacts,” the agency noted.
Targets and Scope Remain Unclear
While the agency did not disclose which officials were impersonated, it confirmed that many victims include current or former U.S. federal and state officials, along with their associates. The FBI has not yet responded to requests for further information regarding the scope or origin of the operation.
Deepfake Technology Fuels Threat
This is not the first time the FBI has raised concerns about generative AI being used for large-scale fraud. AI can easily generate convincing text, audio, and video to deceive individuals. In 2024, the top cybercrimes reported were phishing, extortion, and personal data breaches, with older adults suffering losses close to $5 billion.
How can institutions better protect individuals from evolving threats like the AI voice scam?
