Imposter uses AI to mimic Marco Rubio's voice, places calls to high-level officials

An imposter using AI to mimic Secretary of State Marco Rubio's voice has been sending voice as well as text messages to foreign as well as US officials in Rubio's style of speaking and writing.

US authorities do not know who the person is who has been linked to the instances of AI mimicry, according to The Washington Post, however, they believe that the imposter is trying to manipulate government officials “with the goal of gaining access to information or accounts," the outlet said, citing a cable sent to State Department employees from Rubio's office.

The imposter has “contacted at least five non-Department individuals, including three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a U.S. member of Congress," the cable added, which was dated July 3. The incidents of impersonation started in mid-June, where the imposter used the display name of Marco.Rubio@state.gov to create a Signal account, however, that is not the correct email address for the Secretary of State.

“The actor left voicemails on Signal for at least two targeted individuals and in one instance, sent a text message inviting the individual to communicate on Signal,” the cable stated. The State Department said that it would “carry out a thorough investigation and continue to implement safeguards to prevent this from happening in the future."

This comes as there have been other instances of officials being impersonated by bad actors. Someone was able to breach the phone of White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and then placed calls to Senators, governors, and others in the country. That impersonation led to an FBI investigation.

Impersonating a federal officer in order to obtain something or to deceive is a criminal act.