AI News Monitor

The State Department is investigating a sophisticated scheme in which an impostor, aided by artificial intelligence, impersonated Secretary of State Marco Rubio in communications with foreign officials, a U.S. governor, and a member of Congress, according to an internal department cable and senior U.S. officials.

The incident, first reported by The Washington Post, underscores growing concerns over the use of AI to mimic high-ranking officials in attempts to manipulate or extract sensitive information.

A Digital Doppelgänger

The impersonator, whose identity remains unknown, reportedly created a Signal account in mid-June under the display name Marco.Rubio@state.gov—a false address mimicking the secretary’s official email. The individual then contacted at least five individuals outside the department, including three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a member of Congress, according to the cable.

In some cases, the impostor left AI-generated voicemails mimicking Rubio’s voice and sent text messages urging targets to communicate via Signal, an encrypted messaging platform frequently used by government officials.

“The actor likely aimed to manipulate targeted individuals using AI-generated text and voice messages, with the goal of gaining access to information or accounts,” the cable stated, as reviewed by The New York Times.

A Pattern of Deception

The scheme bears resemblance to a May 2025 incident in which the Federal Bureau of Investigation probed the impersonation of other senior U.S. officials. The cable also noted a separate, unrelated campaign by a Russia-linked cyber threat actor targeting think tank scholars, journalists, and former State Department officials through phishing attempts disguised as State Department invitations.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed the department was aware of the impersonation attempt and is actively investigating.

“The State Department takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information and continuously takes steps to improve the department’s cybersecurity posture to prevent future incidents,” Bruce said Tuesday. She declined to elaborate on specific countermeasures or Secretary Rubio’s reaction, citing security concerns.

A Broader Threat Landscape

The incident highlights the escalating challenges posed by AI-driven disinformation and cyber espionage. Last March, a security lapse known as “Signalgate” exposed sensitive discussions among senior officials—including Rubio, Vice President J.D. Vance, and then-National Security Adviser Mike Waltz—after a journalist was inadvertently added to a Signal group chat discussing military operations in Yemen.

Experts warn that as AI tools become more advanced, verifying digital communications from high-profile figures will grow increasingly difficult.

“We live in a technological age that we are well enmeshed in,” Bruce acknowledged, hinting at the broader implications of the incident.

The State Department has alerted all diplomatic and consular posts about the impersonation attempt and urged heightened vigilance. Meanwhile, officials are working to determine whether the Rubio impersonator acted alone or as part of a coordinated foreign operation.

For now, the digital doppelgänger’s motives—and identity—remain a mystery.