A suspected impersonator has targeted senior Yemeni officials while posing as the editor-in-chief of Saudi newspaper Okaz.
The unidentified individual used a German phone number and claimed to be Jameel Altheyabi, the newspaper’s editor-in-chief. The impersonator also used Altheyabi’s photograph as a WhatsApp profile picture.
The incident raised concerns over possible fraud and cyberattacks.
According to the report, the offices of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi and council member Lt. Gen. Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami were contacted by the individual.
The impersonator allegedly tried to convince officials that they were communicating with a genuine Okaz representative.
When Al-Mahrami’s office contacted the number, the person sent a suspicious link. The recipient was urged to open it to communicate with a woman identified as Mona, who was falsely presented as the director of Altheyabi’s office.
Okaz later confirmed that no employee by that name works at the newspaper.
The publication strongly denied any involvement in the communications. It also said Altheyabi had not authorised anyone to contact the Yemeni officials on his behalf.
The unauthorised use of Altheyabi’s name, photograph and professional title has increased concerns that the incident may have been designed to steal sensitive information or facilitate a cyberattack.
Okaz has urged officials and members of the public to verify suspicious contacts through official channels.
It also warned recipients against opening unknown links or responding to messages from unverified numbers.
The incident highlights growing risks linked to digital impersonation, phishing and social engineering attacks targeting high-profile officials.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the individual behind the scheme.
