The FBI is investigating a coordinated effort to impersonate White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles by using her stolen personal data to contact political leaders and top officials.
According to federal authorities, messages and calls were sent to several prominent individuals while pretending to be Wiles. The communications allegedly used both text and voice messages.
Some recipients said the messages asked for unusual requests, including names of individuals for potential pardons and even direct cash payments.
Investigators believe Wiles’ personal cell phone was hacked earlier this year. Information from that breach appears to have been used in the impersonation scheme.
The impersonator used AI-generated voice technology to mimic Wiles in phone calls. Officials said the voice was highly convincing.
Several people who received the messages became suspicious due to unusual language, strange syntax, or the use of phone numbers not previously associated with Wiles.
The fake messages were directed to a range of high-profile targets, including U.S. senators, governors, and corporate leaders. The FBI has not yet confirmed how many people were contacted.
Wiles became aware of the impersonation after one recipient flagged the suspicious message. She then reported the incident to the FBI and urged others to ignore similar outreach, according to the New York Post.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated that the agency is treating the impersonation as a serious breach of security and is focusing on identifying the perpetrators and their motives.
The White House confirmed the matter is under active investigation and that security protocols are being reviewed. It also emphasized that the administration is fully cooperating with law enforcement.
“The White House takes the cybersecurity of all staff very seriously, and this matter continues to be investigated,” a White House spokesman told the Wall Street Journal.
This is not the first time Wiles has been targeted. In 2024, she was the victim of a cyberattack linked to Iranian hackers, who gained access to her campaign email.
The current impersonation scheme does not appear to have direct ties to a foreign nation, according to investigators. However, that assessment may change as the case develops.
The FBI has issued previous warnings about AI technology being used in criminal impersonations, noting the growing trend of synthetic voice tools in fraud and cyber operations.
Wiles, a longtime adviser to Trump, holds one of the most powerful positions in the administration and was a key figure in his 2024 campaign.
The incident has reignited concern over the use of personal devices for official business, especially among top government personnel who may not have full protection from federal cybersecurity systems.
