The FBI has issued a warning about a new scam where fraudsters are impersonating high-ranking US officials. This isn’t your typical phishing attempt; it’s a sophisticated operation using both text messages and AI-generated voice calls.
How the Scam Works
Since April, scammers have been using smishing (text messages) and vishing (voice calls) to target current and former government officials, as well as their associates. These messages appear to come directly from senior US officials. The goal? To build trust and gain access to personal accounts.
The scammers use personalized messages (spear phishing) to make the communication seem legitimate. They might send links to switch to a different messaging platform, which could be malicious. Once they have your information, they can use it to steal money or access even more accounts. This could lead to further scams targeting other government officials or their contacts.
What to Do
The FBI’s key message is simple: Don’t trust any message claiming to be from a senior US official without independent verification. If you receive such a message, don’t click any links or provide any personal information. Report it to the appropriate authorities.
/p>
