The FBI reportedly issued a stark warning just before Christmas, alerting Americans that sophisticated scam operations are increasingly using fake text messages and artificial intelligence to impersonate senior U.S. government officials and exploit people connected to them.
In an alert released December 19, the bureau said malicious actors have been deploying tactics known as “smishing” and “vishing” — fraudulent text messages and AI-generated voice calls — to trick victims into believing they are communicating with high-level officials in Washington.
“Since at least 2023, malicious actors have sent text messages and AI-generated voice messages … that claim to come from a senior U.S. official to establish rapport with targeted individuals,” the FBI wrote.
According to the bureau, these scams are becoming more common and more convincing, especially as artificial intelligence technology rapidly improves. The targets are often people in the personal or professional orbit of Cabinet members, members of Congress, and even officials connected to the White House.
The FBI said scammers typically begin with messages that appear legitimate, often referencing current events, policy issues, or news topics that the recipient would plausibly discuss with a senior official. Once a brief conversation begins, the scammer quickly tries to move the exchange off standard texting and onto encrypted messaging platforms.
“In this scheme, actors reach out to victims and engage them in a brief conversation on a topic they are knowledgeable about,” the FBI explained. “They quickly request to move the discussion to a secondary, encrypted messaging app.”
Platforms like Signal or Telegram are commonly used at that stage. Once there, the scammers may escalate their demands, asking victims to provide sensitive personal information such as passport details, verification codes, or access credentials. In some cases, victims are pressured to wire money overseas under false pretenses.
One particularly concerning tactic involves requesting access to a victim’s contact list. The FBI warned that once scammers obtain those contacts, they can expand their operation by targeting additional people within the same trusted circle, making the scheme harder to contain.
The bureau said it issued a similar public service announcement in May, but the threat has continued to grow. In a recent post on social media, the FBI reiterated that criminals are impersonating senior officials and deliberately targeting family members and close associates.
“Malicious actors are impersonating senior U.S. officials via text and AI-generated voice messages and targeting their contacts, including family members,” the bureau said.
The FBI urged the public to remain cautious and to verify communications before responding. Recommended steps include cross-checking phone numbers, confirming requests through known channels, and being skeptical of sudden attempts to shift conversations to encrypted apps.
The bureau acknowledged that advances in AI have made detection far more difficult than in the past. Voice cloning and realistic text generation can now closely mimic real people, creating a new layer of deception.
“AI-generated content has advanced to the point that it is often difficult to identify,” the FBI warned. “When in doubt about the authenticity of someone wishing to communicate with you, contact your relevant security officials or the FBI for help.”
The warning follows broader reporting that AI-driven scams are on the rise across the country as the technology becomes more accessible and powerful. As criminals adopt these tools faster than safeguards can be implemented, federal authorities are urging Americans — especially those connected to government officials — to stay alert.
The FBI’s message is clear: in an era of artificial intelligence, even a familiar voice or authoritative message may not be what it seems.
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