Chinese hackers have been posing as AI experts in the US as per cybersecurity organization Proofpoint. The report discovered that in July, a China linked hacking actor known as TA419 targeted a number of American policy experts by posing as important figures.

The malicious actors have been active since April 2025. First, they dispatch innocuous appearing emails such as requests to join an AI policy group. After the target responded, the hackers would dispatch to the target a fake login page in order to grab their credentials.

The operation targets individuals who are responsible for policy on national strategy, export controls as well as regulations. The hackers try to obtain passwords from persons working for American or Japanese think tanks, defense contractors, universities as well as law firms.

Proofpoint did not identify the hacker’s targets. Among the targets were entities connected to the US-Japan relationship. As per Proofpoint there was an interest in American policymaking rather than technology theft alone. The US and China are competing in the fast-paced AI domain. So, it is logical to trick individuals in the AI policy field to reveal details regarding their AI plans. As per certain sources the allegation of Chinese involvement makes sense.

SOURCES:-

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/10/1/chinese-hackers-impersonated-ai-experts-to-target-us-policy-minds

https://www.telegraphindia.com/world/chinese-hackers-pose-as-us-ai-experts-former-officials-to-steal-their-passwords/cid/2182598#goog_rewarded

https://cryptobriefing.com/chinese-hackers-impersonate-anthropic-employee-phishing/