(The Situation Update Report [SUR] is a near real-time brief of a possible threat or situation being monitored by The Counter Threat Center. The information is accurate at the time of reporting, but maybe subject to change.)
Jennifer Loy, Samuel Pearson
November 5, 2024
J. Edgar Hoover Building, FBI Headquarters[1]
Current Situation: The FBI released a statement on November 5, 2024, addressing two instances where its name and insignia were fraudulently used to spread false election-related information. The first case involved a fake news clip that falsely claimed the FBI issued a terrorist warning advising Americans to "vote remotely" due to threats at polling stations. The second case concerned a fabricated video with a fake FBI press release alleging election rigging and collusion involving prison management in Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona. The FBI emphasized that both videos are not authentic and contain false information.[2]
Day/Time of Event: November 5, 2024 / Around 1000 local time
What is the Current Threat:
The use of the FBI’s name and insignia likely reflects an attempt to confuse and distort voters’ threat perceptions, thereby leading them to stay at home and not vote.
By targeting the swing states, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona, the threat actor spreading this disinformation likely intends a strategic attempt to influence the outcome of the 2024 Presidential election. Given the current lack of arrests, they will very likely spread further disinformation impersonating law enforcement, and likely diversify into other falsified material such as local election board press releases. This diversification will very likely occur if certain counties become significant in deciding the election outcome in swing states.
Vulnerable populations, such as elderly voters or first-time voters, will likely be most susceptible to these false warnings. These disinformation attempts have a roughly even chance of significantly impacting turnout in specific communities where trust in electoral systems is already fragile, such as rural and underserved areas.
Who will it directly impact:
Voters
Election officials and workers
Law enforcement
Underserved communities
[1] FBI Headquarters by Federal Bureau of Investigation, licensed under Public Domain
[2] FBI Statement on Inauthentic Use of Bureau Name, Insignia in Promoting False Election-Related Narratives, Federal Bureau fo Investigation, November 5, 2024, https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-statement-on-inauthentic-use-of-bureau-name-and-insignia