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Chinese Hackers Impersonate Ex-US Official to Steal AI Experts' Emails
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CNBC TV18•01-10-2026, 17:32
Chinese Hackers Impersonate Ex-US Official to Steal AI Experts' Emails
- •Chinese hackers, dubbed "TA419" by cybersecurity firm Proofpoint, impersonated former US official Lynne Parker to target AI experts at think tanks, universities, and other organizations.
- •The hackers' campaign involved sending emails purporting to be from AI or statecraft experts, proposing collaborations before directing targets to password-stealing websites.
- •Proofpoint attributed the attacks to a Chinese group based on malware, internet infrastructure, and targeting aligned with Chinese intelligence collection priorities.
- •One identified target, Alex Engler, a former White House official, received a suspicious email from an alleged Parker, which he quickly identified as an impostor.
- •The targeting suggests an "intelligence interest in US policymaking rather than technology theft alone," according to Proofpoint, aligning with the US-China competition in AI.
Key Questions Answered
The cybersecurity company Proofpoint attributed the hacking campaign to a Chinese group it dubs "TA419".
The hackers impersonated Lynne Parker, who previously served as the principal deputy director of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy.
The hackers targeted fewer than 10 individuals working for a handful of organizations, specifically experts working on AI regulation, export controls, and national AI strategy.
