China-Aligned TA419 Cyber Espionage Group Targets U.S. AI Policy Experts with Microsoft AitM Phishing Campaigns

A new China-nexus cyber espionage group, TA419, has been linked to multiple credential phishing campaigns aimed at artificial intelligence (AI) experts within U.S. think tanks, universities, and legal organizations. The group has impersonated prominent economists, AI policymakers, and an Anthropic employee to target individuals, with one campaign in February 2026 using the subject line 'Request for Feedback on Military Integration of Claude.' This activity is believed to support Chinese intelligence objectives to understand U.S. AI policy and regulatory developments amidst strategic competition.