Fake SMS Impersonating French President Macron Sparks Cybersecurity Alerts

The Élysée warns citizens of phishing scams using Emmanuel Macron's name to steal personal data via fraudulent SMS messages.

Phishing messages claiming to be from President Emmanuel Macron have been circulating, urging recipients to contact him via the Signal app.
The Élysée issued a public warning, advising people to verify sender details and avoid sharing personal information or clicking suspicious links.
This scam represents a shift from traditional email phishing to 'smishing,' targeting individuals through fraudulent SMS messages.
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot was previously targeted by a similar scam, though no significant security breaches occurred in that case.
Authorities emphasize the growing sophistication of cybercriminals, who increasingly exploit trusted identities and encrypted messaging platforms.