Powell Duped by Russian Pranksters on a Video Call. How the Fed Fell for It

Internal emails and a report obtained by FOIA Files reveal how Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell was tricked into a video call with Russian pranksters posing as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. The pranksters, known as Vovan and Lexus, aired the conversation on Russian state television, where they discussed topics like inflation and rate hikes with Powell. The documents shed light on the breakdown in operational security that allowed the Fed to be deceived so easily. The incident occurred in April 2023 and highlights the challenges faced by high-profile figures in maintaining communication security. The pranksters have a history of targeting Western leaders to create embarrassing situations. Powell's unwitting participation in the virtual meeting underscores the importance of vigilance and verification when engaging in sensitive communications, especially in the digital age.