World · Latin America · 4 hrs ago
Suspected Russian operation used fake school directives in Latin America
OpenAI says a Russia-based influence operation targeted schools in Peru and Ecuador with emails posing as education authorities.
In Peru, the operators urged schools to mark a fictional cultural and linguistic diversity day on May 21 and introduce students to three Ukrainian political figures.
They asked administrators to send photos, which the operators could use to promote the campaign.
Peru’s Education Ministry later noted the directive, and Ukraine’s embassy had identified it as fraudulent.
The operation, called Dark Clark, also used AI to plan activities, write internal reports and create some campaign content.
OpenAI says related Russian campaigns in Argentina and Bolivia appeared aimed at local politics, as Russia has expanded its influence efforts in the region.
The case shows how AI can help disguise who is behind political messaging and spread it through trusted institutions; the supplied information does not describe any next steps.
A Russia-based influence operation used emails posing as education authorities in Peru and Ecuador, according to an OpenAI report.
The operators urged schools to mark a fictional “National Day of Cultural and Linguistic Diversity” on May 21 and feature three Ukrainian political figures.
The events were then used in an attempt to sow division, OpenAI said.
The operation, dubbed “Dark Clark,” used AI for planning, reporting and, in some cases, campaign content.
OpenAI said the activity appeared linked to an entity known as “Politology” or “La Compania,” which it tied to the late Russian oligarch Yevgeniy Prigozhin.
- Who
- A suspected Russia-based influence operation called “Dark Clark.
- What
- It sent emails posing as education authorities to persuade schools to hold events featuring Ukrainian political figures.
- When
- The events were scheduled for May 21; the year is not stated.
- Where
- Peru and Ecuador; one described campaign targeted schools in Lima, Peru.
- Why
- The operators sought to stoke controversy and sow division.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Schools were asked to hold 10 to 15 minutes of activities about three Ukrainian political figures.
The Ukrainian embassy identified the fraud in a letter, according to the article.
Peru’s Ministry of Education issued an official letter noting the directive.
- Operation name
- Dark Clark
- Countries targeted
- Peru and Ecuador
- Scheduled event
- National Day of Cultural and Linguistic Diversity” on May 21
- Activity length
- 10 to 15 minutes
- Peru location
- Lima
- Related entity
- Politology” or “La Compania
What people are saying
AI can give such false-front operations greater scale, efficiency, linguistic fluency, and editorial ability
You never take a threat actor at face value, right?