Disinformation videos impersonate the FBI to spread false claims about election problems

(AP) – The FBI is warning that several fake videos are misusing his name and insignia to spread false claims about problems in the election.

A written statement purportedly from the FBI asks media and bloggers not to publish information about attacks at polling stations. The spread of stories about violence could lead to an increase in such incidents.

The FBI says this statement is false and does not come from the FBI.

A fabricated video impersonating the FBI and a federal agency calls on schools to suspend educational activities until November 11 due to the threat of violence, shootings and riots.

Another claims the FBI received 9,000 complaints about faulty voting machines.

The FBI says neither video is from the FBI and the content of both is false.

The FBI has not identified who might be responsible for the videos produced, but it is the latest warning about the spread of disinformation and the latest case in which the FBI has denounced the misuse of its name and insignia to promote false narratives.

Chinese reports increase disinformation about Russian elections

Russia’s disinformation aimed at weakening confidence in the U.S. election received last-minute help from China, according to research by the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab.

Investigators identified several Russia-related videos that made false claims about voting. Some of the videos mimicked legitimate U.S. news outlets and included fake audio clips of law enforcement officials allegedly admitting to widespread election fraud.

Researchers found that the videos were amplified by a network of fake social media accounts originating in China. The accounts had spread pro-China propaganda in the past and recently shifted their focus to the US elections.

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