Australian Media Targeted with 71,000 Spam Emails in Russia-Linked Disinformation Scheme
The report reveals that Operation Overload is now focusing on the upcoming US elections, although the exact origins and backing of the campaign are still uncertain.
A recent report suggests that 15 Australian media outlets have been targeted in a coordinated disinformation campaign connected to Russia.
Finnish analytics firm CheckFirst has provided an update on its report, Operation Overload, examining how media houses were deceived.
The report states that local media organizations, including AAP, ABC, The Conversation, and The Daily Aus, received at least 71,000 spam emails containing false information about global events like the Ukraine war and the Paris Olympics.
It also warns that there are indications of Operation Overload shifting its focus towards the forthcoming U.S. elections.
According to the report, “The heatmap of email activity from January to September 2024 provides a comprehensive view of the operation’s intensity over time.” It also mentions that around 11 percent of the email addresses are specific, suggesting a targeted effort to reach individuals within the organizations, while the remaining 89 percent are more generic addresses intended for broader distribution within the targeted organizations.
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The report further explains that the emails, along with the use of generic addresses, demonstrate the operation’s two-fold strategy: initially targeting individuals within organizations and later aiming for widespread distribution of false information.
With more than 71,000 emails sent to carefully selected contacts, the operation has employed advanced tactics such as dynamic QR codes, fake accounts on X (formerly Twitter), Telegram channels, and a network of counterfeit media websites to disseminate misinformation.
CheckFirst CEO Guillaume Kuster reveals that further investigation into the “grey zone” has uncovered additional evidence tying the disinformation campaign to Russia.
He highlights that some email accounts were accessed through Russian IP addresses, and the QR codes in the emails were generated by an individual linked to a Russian marketing agency.
Kuster states, “While not conclusive evidence, these signs point to the campaign being part of a larger, coordinated effort.”
The report emphasizes that Operation Overload demonstrates coordinated, inauthentic behavior aimed at manipulating public perception.
Although the exact origins and support for the campaign remain unclear, it appears designed to dupe fact-checkers, potentially leading them to unwittingly spread false information.
The report also notes a surge in activity during the 2024 Paris Olympics, spotlighting the operation’s strategic timing to leverage global events for maximum impact.
While email sending is legal, the methods employed in this campaign violate platform terms of service like Gmail, which prohibit actions such as spamming, phishing, and creating misleading content.
The report recommends stricter enforcement of digital platform policies to prevent such malicious activities.
AAP contributed to this article.
