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Chinese Hackers Impersonate Ex-US Official to Steal AI Experts' Emails
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Firstpost•01-10-2026, 15:16
Chinese Hackers Impersonate Ex-US Official to Steal AI Experts' Emails
- •Chinese hackers, dubbed "TA419" by cybersecurity firm Proofpoint, are impersonating US AI experts, including former government official Lynne Parker, to steal emails from AI experts at think tanks, universities, and other organizations.
- •The hacking efforts, attributed to a Chinese group based on malware, internet infrastructure, and targeting aligned with Chinese intelligence priorities, have been ongoing since at least 2025.
- •Hackers sent emails purporting to be from AI or statecraft experts, proposing AI-themed collaborations before directing targets to password-stealing websites.
- •Alex Engler, a former White House official, received a suspicious email seemingly from Parker, which he identified as an impostor after it "felt slightly, nebulously off."
- •The targeting, involving fewer than 10 individuals, suggests an "intelligence interest in US policymaking rather than technology theft alone," according to Proofpoint, amidst US-China competition in AI.
Key Questions Answered
The cybersecurity company Proofpoint attributed the hacking campaign targeting artificial intelligence experts to a Chinese group it dubs "TA419".
The hackers impersonated US AI experts and statecraft figures, including Lynne Parker, who previously served as the principal deputy director of the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy.
The targets included individuals working for think tanks, universities, defense contractors, and law firms, specifically focusing on experts handling AI regulation, export controls, and national AI strategy.
