The FBI has launched an investigation into an orchestrated plot to digitally impersonate White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
Authorities were flagged in recent weeks after senators, governors, and even top U.S. business executives began receiving text messages and phone calls from someone claiming to be the chief of staff, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), which initially reported the story. None of the messages came from Wiles. FBI officials do not believe a foreign nation orchestrated the impersonation.
“The White House takes the cybersecurity of all staff very seriously, and this matter continues to be investigated,” a White House spokeswoman said.
“The FBI takes all threats against the president, his staff, and our cybersecurity with the utmost seriousness,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. “Safeguarding our administration officials’ ability to securely communicate to accomplish the president’s mission is a top priority.”
Wiles, who managed Trump’s presidential campaign prior to becoming chief of staff, has reportedly told people in her inner circle that her personal cellphone contacts were hacked, which gave the impersonator access to so many high-profile people in government and business.
“Some of the calls featured a voice that sounded like Wiles, people who heard them said. Government officials think the impersonator used artificial intelligence to imitate Wiles’s voice, some of the people said,” per the WSJ.