UK foreign secretary falls victim to hoax video call

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron engaged in a hoax video call with someone purporting to be the former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, the Foreign Office (FCDO) said.

A number of text messages were also exchanged between the impersonator and Mr Cameron, who was "regretting his mistake", according to an FCDO spokesperson.

"Whilst the video call clearly appeared to be with Mr Poroshenko, following the conversation the foreign secretary became suspicious," the spokesperson added.

The caller also requested contact details, after which Mr Cameron stopped responding.

The spokesperson said the "brief" call took place in "recent days", but did not elaborate on who was behind the hoax or how the hoaxer was able to contact Mr Cameron directly.

The FCDO said it released details of the exchange publicly amid fears it could be "manipulated".

"Manipulation of the information environment is becoming ever more present.

"Whilst regretting his mistake, the foreign secretary thinks it important to call out this behaviour and increase efforts to counter the use of misinformation."

Petro Poroshenko was president of Ukraine between 2014 and 2019.

During his term as prime minister, David Cameron had multiple dealings with the Ukrainian leader, including meetings at international summits.

It's not the first time Mr Cameron has fallen victim to a hoax call.

In 2015, Downing Street was forced to review security procedures after a hoax caller was put through to Mr Cameron when he was prime minister.

Number 10 said the caller claimed to be Robert Hannigan, then director of government monitoring agency GCHQ.

Mr Cameron ended the call when it became clear it was a hoax and no sensitive information was disclosed.