Background on Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio is a prominent American politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from Florida. A member of the Republican Party, Rubio has been an active figure in U.S. politics since 2011, previously serving as a Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. As the U.S. Secretary of State’s deputy, Rubio plays a crucial role in shaping and implementing foreign policy.
The Impersonation Incident
According to a report published on Tuesday by the Washington Post, an imposter attempted to deceive high-ranking officials and foreign ministers by pretending to be Marco Rubio. The imposter used artificial intelligence (AI) to generate voice and text messages, aiming to manipulate powerful individuals for access to information or accounts.
Targeted Contacts
- At least three foreign ministers
- One U.S. governor
- One congressman
The imposter communicated with these targets using both text messages and the encrypted messaging app Signal. Starting mid-June, the imposter created a Signal account using the username “[email protected]” to contact high-ranking officials, as per a June 3 cable from Rubio’s office.
The imposter left voice messages on Signal for at least two specific individuals, though the content of these messages remains undisclosed.
Other Department of State Members Impersonated
Besides impersonating Rubio, other Department of State members were also targeted using email. In May, President Donald Trump disclosed that an impersonator infiltrated the phone of Susie Wiles, the White House Personnel Chief.
- Senators
- Governors
- U.S. business leaders
These individuals received text messages and phone calls from someone claiming to be Wiles. The Casa Blanca and the FBI investigated these incidents, but Trump downplayed the cybersecurity threat.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was impersonated? Marco Rubio, the U.S. Senator from Florida and Deputy Secretary of State.
- Who were the targets? High-ranking officials, foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a congressman.
- What methods were used? AI-generated voice and text messages through text, Signal app, and email.
- What was the aim? To manipulate targets for access to information or accounts.
- What was the response from authorities? The Casa Blanca and FBI investigated but deemed the threat not a direct cybersecurity risk to the Department of State.
