US Government Officials Targeted with AI-Generated Deepfake Voice Messages and Texts Impersonating Senior Officials

TL;DR

US government officials are being targeted with AI-generated deepfake voice messages and texts impersonating senior officials. The FBI warns of a campaign using smishing and vishing tactics to gain unauthorized access to personal accounts. Officials and their contacts are advised to verify caller identities and be cautious of suspicious links.

US Government Officials Targeted with AI-Generated Deepfake Voice Messages and Texts

The FBI has issued a warning regarding a sophisticated campaign targeting former and current US government officials. This campaign employs smishing and vishing tactics, utilizing AI-generated deepfake voice messages and texts that impersonate senior US officials. The goal is to build trust and gain unauthorized access to personal and official accounts.

Campaign Overview

Since April 2025, threat actors have been sending malicious links disguised as invitations to transition to new messaging platforms. These links are designed to exploit the trust of officials and their contacts, ultimately aiming to extract sensitive data or funds. The FBI’s alert highlights that access to these accounts could be used to target other government officials or their associates, leveraging the trusted contact information obtained through social engineering schemes¹.

Prevention Tips from the FBI

To avoid falling victim to these AI-powered scams, the FBI advises the following precautions:

• Verify Caller Identities: Use known contact information to confirm the identity of callers.
• Check for Errors: Look for slight discrepancies in names, messages, and visuals.
• Identify Flaws in AI-Generated Content: Be wary of unnatural speech or visuals, which can indicate deepfake content.
• Confirm Authenticity: Always verify the authenticity of messages before responding, especially if they involve financial transactions or sensitive information.
• Contact Security Officials: If unsure, reach out to security officials or the FBI for guidance.

Best Practices for Avoiding Fraud

To prevent fraud and data loss, the FBI recommends:

• Never Share Sensitive Information: Do not share personal or financial information with unknown contacts.
• Use Trusted Channels: Verify the identity of contacts through trusted communication channels.
• Avoid Suspicious Links: Do not click on links or download files from unverified sources.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Protect your accounts with two-factor authentication and never share OTP codes.
• Use Secret Words: Establish a secret word with family members to confirm identities and ensure security.

Conclusion

The evolving threat of AI-generated deepfakes poses a significant risk to cybersecurity. By staying vigilant and following the FBI’s guidelines, government officials can protect themselves and their contacts from these sophisticated attacks.

Additional Resources

For further insights, check:

• FBI Warns of Deepfake Cyber Threats
• Security Affairs on Smishing
• FBI Alert on Vishing Attacks

References

1. FBI (2025). “FBI warns ex-officials are targeted with deepfake texts and AI voice messages impersonating senior U.S. officials”. Internet Crime Complaint Center. Retrieved 2025-05-17. ↩︎