Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chair, was deceived by pranksters posing as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video call in January.
The pranksters, identified as Vladimir Kuznetsov and Alexei Stolyarov, are known supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The video clips, now circulating on the internet, show Jerome Powell discussing central banking and inflation, but no sensitive information was revealed during the conversation.
Russian pranksters’ history of deceiving famous people
Kuznetsov and Stolyarov, also known as Vovan and Lexus, have a history of tricking global leaders. Previously, they have deceived Christine Lagarde, the President of the European Central Bank, Angela Merkel, Germany’s former chancellor, and other high-profile international figures.
In 2020, they tricked Polish President Andrzej Duda by posing as the United Nations Secretary-General. Earlier hoaxes targeted French President Emmanuel Macron, then-British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and then-Energy Secretary Rick Perry.
Their pranks often involve impersonating important figures to gain access to prominent individuals.
In one instance, the duo posed as Zelensky to call Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, discussing a suggestion that she change Potter’s lightning bolt scar to the Ukrainian coat of arms. Rowling played along and even considered promoting the idea on social media for press coverage.
Jerome Powell’s conversation and the Fed’s response
The edited video clips show Jerome Powell answering questions about the U.S. and the global economy, with his responses aligning with his regular public statements.
In one clip, Powell mentions that a recession is almost as likely as very slow growth in the current year. However, no sensitive or confidential information was discussed during the call.
A Fed spokesperson acknowledged that Jerome Powell participated in a conversation with someone who misrepresented himself as the Ukrainian president.
The spokesperson emphasized that the conversation was friendly and took place in the context of the central bank’s support for the Ukrainian people during challenging times. The Fed could not confirm the accuracy of the edited video and has referred the matter to law enforcement.
Security implications and international relations
With Jerome Powell falling prey to this elaborate prank, the incident raises questions about the security measures in place for high-ranking officials and the potential implications of such hoaxes on international relations.
It is crucial for government institutions and leaders to establish and maintain secure lines of communication to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive information.
The spokesperson did not comment on whether the incident demonstrated any security lapses within the Fed or what steps would be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
However, the event highlights the importance of verifying the identity of individuals before engaging in discussions involving sensitive topics or classified information.
While the pranksters have gained notoriety for their hoaxes, it is unclear whether they will face any legal consequences for their actions. The fact that the Fed has referred the matter to law enforcement may indicate that they are looking to take action against those responsible for the prank.
As international tensions continue to rise, particularly between the United States and Russia, it is essential for global leaders to remain vigilant and ensure that their communications are secure.
You can watch the video of Jerome Powell and the pranksters below:
