The FBI is investigating an attempt to impersonate White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. The impersonator reportedly contacted numerous individuals, including Republican politicians and business leaders.

Sources familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal that the impersonator sent text messages and made phone calls to Wiles’ contacts. Wiles reportedly informed her colleagues that her phone’s contact list had been compromised. The targeted device was her personal cellphone,not her official government-issued phone.

The impersonator allegedly requested a list of individuals who could be considered for a presidential pardon. Some of those contacted initially believed the messages were genuinely from Wiles. The Wall Street Journal reports that the impersonator’s voice during phone calls resembled that of the chief of staff, perhaps through the use of artificial intelligence.

Doubts arose when the individual posing as Wiles requested a cash transfer and began using uncharacteristic language and grammatical errors. The requests also originated from an unfamiliar phone number.

Past Cyberattacks on Wiles

During the presidential campaign, Wiles was reportedly the victim of a cyberattack attributed to Iran, in which her email account was hacked. However, the FBI has indicated to the White House that there is no suspicion of foreign government involvement in this latest impersonation incident.

“The FBI takes all threats against the president, his staff, and our cybersecurity with the utmost seriousness.”
FBI Director Kash Patel

FBI Director Kash Patel stated, “The FBI takes all threats against the president, his staff, and our cybersecurity with the utmost seriousness. Safeguarding our administration officials’ ability to securely communicate to accomplish the president’s mission is a top priority.”

A White House spokeswoman told the Wall Street Journal that they are taking the matter seriously: “cybersecurity of all staff very seriously, and this matter continues to be investigated.”

Understanding Political Impersonation and Cybersecurity