Chinese Hackers Impersonated US Lawmaker in Email Espionage Campaign

A "puzzling" email arrived at several U.S. government agencies, law firms, and trade groups last July, as America's trade talks with China were set to begin. The message appeared to be from Representative John Moolenaar, the chair of a U.S. Congressional committee, asking recipients to review an alleged draft of upcoming legislation sent as an attachment.

"But why had the chairman sent the message from a nongovernment address?" the Wall Street Journal reported. It was later revealed that the email was part of a sophisticated cyber espionage campaign linked to Beijing, aimed at potentially deploying spyware against organizations giving input on President Trump's trade negotiations.

The FBI and the Capitol Police are investigating the Moolenaar emails, with cyber analysts tracing the embedded malware to a hacker group known as APT41 — believed to be a contractor for Beijing's Ministry of State Security. The hacking campaign appeared to be aimed at giving Chinese officials an inside look at the recommendations Trump was receiving from outside groups.

It couldn't be determined whether the attackers had successfully breached any of the targets. A Federal Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman declined to provide details but said the bureau was aware of the incident and was "working with our partners to identify and pursue those responsible."

The alleged campaign comes as U.S. law-enforcement officials have been surprised by the prolific and creative nature of China's spying efforts. The FBI revealed last month that a Beijing-linked espionage campaign that hit U.S. telecom companies and swept up Trump's phone calls actually targeted more than 80 countries and reached across the globe.

The Moolenaar impersonation is part of a larger trend of Chinese hackers targeting U.S. officials and organizations through various means, including AI-generated voice messages and texts. In July, the State Department warned diplomats around the world about an impostor using AI to imitate Secretary of State Marco Rubio's voice in messages sent to foreign officials.

Federal authorities are also investigating an effort to impersonate White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. The FBI issued a warning that month that "malicious actors have impersonated senior U.S. officials" targeting contacts with AI-generated voice messages and texts.

In January, it was reported that all the staffers on Moolenaar's committee "received emails falsely claiming to be from the CEO of Chinese crane manufacturer ZPMC, according to people familiar with the episode."

The Growing Threat of Chinese Espionage

China's spying efforts have been a concern for U.S. officials and law enforcement agencies for years. The latest incident highlights the growing threat posed by Beijing's Ministry of State Security and its contractor groups, such as APT41.

The FBI's revelation that a Beijing-linked espionage campaign hit more than 80 countries and reached across the globe raises serious questions about China's capabilities and intentions. As the U.S.-China trade talks continue, it is essential to be aware of the potential risks posed by Chinese espionage efforts.