FBI Warns Hackers Are Using AI Voice Clones to Target U.S. Officials
Hackers are using AI-generated voice messages to impersonate senior U.S. government officials in a continuing effort to infiltrate the online accounts of current and former officials, the FBI warned on Thursday.
According to the bureau’s public advisory, the hackers—who have not been publicly identified—began the campaign in April. They have sent both text and AI-generated voice messages to federal and state officials in an attempt to build trust and ultimately gain access to sensitive accounts. The FBI has not disclosed the hackers’ motives or their affiliation.
The rise of affordable, widely available AI tools has significantly lowered the barrier for scammers and foreign agents to convincingly mimic the voices of friends, colleagues, or public figures. Once they gain control of an email or social media account, they can effectively hijack a person’s digital identity.
U.S. intelligence agencies previously warned that, during the 2024 presidential election, Russian operatives used AI-generated videos on social media to spread disinformation about voter fraud.
The FBI highlighted the broader risks of such breaches, cautioning that access to government or personal accounts could allow attackers to impersonate trusted contacts and extract additional information or money. The threat extends beyond the initial target, potentially impacting wider government networks and associates.
