An international investigation is underway for an individual who successfully impersonated a top aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump to contact the British Prime Minister shortly after he took office. The Prime Minister reportedly exchanged messages with the imposter, who was posing as Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff, leading to embarrassment and security concerns.
The British embassy in Washington alerted the White House to the deception, prompting an official inquiry. Downing Street has declined to comment on national security matters, citing the ongoing investigation.
Security experts have drawn parallels to tactics attributed to Iran but noted that Whitehall sources suggest the operation may have originated in the U.S. The incident occurred in the days before and after the Prime Minister entered Downing Street. A source close to the White House stated that while the exchange is being downplayed, the fact that authorities were alerted indicates its significance.
Sources insisted that only a few messages of minor importance were exchanged, and no phone conversations took place. The matter was reportedly flagged to authorities quickly. Professor Anthony Glees, a security and intelligence expert, described the event as a "bullseye" for an attack and a serious security concern, particularly as Wiles's phone had been targeted previously.
Last May, Wiles's phone was compromised by an impersonator who used her contacts to message other U.S. officials. The White House has stated that this recent incident was unrelated to Wiles's devices being hacked. Former defense secretary Ben Wallace, who was himself a victim of a hoax call in 2022, warned that adversaries are continuously seeking communication vulnerabilities and that government ministers should always assume their mobile phones are compromised.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential exposure of personal mobile phone numbers for several UK Cabinet ministers, including the Defense Secretary, which were reportedly found online and subsequently removed. Experts warn that such exposure can make individuals vulnerable to malicious actors.
This incident echoes previous instances where high-profile figures have been targeted by hoaxers. In 2022, then-U.S. Secretary of State David Cameron was deceived by an imposter posing as the former president of Ukraine. Then-Prime Minister David Cameron was also targeted by a scammer claiming to be the head of GCHQ in 2015. Prince Harry was tricked by Russian hoaxers in 2020, and former U.S. Vice President candidate Sarah Palin was pranked by a Canadian comedy act in 2008.