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.