[Social Engineering] Russian Prankster Convinces DOE Chief Rick Perry He Was Speaking to Ukraine PM

[Razer]

>  WASHINGTON — U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry optimistically
> discussed expanding American coal exports to Ukraine and other energy
> matters during a lengthy phone call this month with a Russian
> prankster who Perry thought was Ukraine's prime minister.
>
> Perry actually was talking with comedians known in Russia for
> targeting celebrities and politicians with audacious stunts, Energy
> Department spokeswoman Shaylyn Hynes said in a written statement.
>
> Pranksters Vladimir Krasnov and Alexei Stolyarov are sometimes called
> the "Jerky Boys of Russia," after an American duo who put out
> recordings of their prank phone calls in the 1990s. They have made
> faux calls to British singer Elton John
> <http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russias-putin-calls-elton-john-real-time-n432971>,
> who thought he was speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and
> others.
>
>  "These individuals are known for pranking high-level officials and
> celebrities, particularly those who are supportive of an agenda that
> is not in line with their governments. In this case, the energy
> security of Ukraine," Hynes said.
>
> During the 22-minute call on July 19, Perry, whose department oversees
> the U.S. nuclear weapons program, discussed a range of topics in a
> business-like tone, including sanctions against Russia and helping
> Ukraine develop oil and gas.
>
> Perry said the Trump administration opposes Nord Stream 2, a Russian
> project to bring natural gas to Europe across the Baltic and that U.S.
> technology could help Ukraine develop gas.
>
> "Giving Ukraine more options with some of our technology is, I think,
> in everyone's best interest with the exception of the Russians, but
> that's OK," he said.
>
> Perry also discussed the Paris climate accord and coal exports on the
> call.
>
> The call, first reported by E&E news, was recorded and posted online.
>
> It happened about a month after Perry met with Ukrainian President
> Petro Poroshenko and his delegation at the Energy Department.
>
> President Donald Trump said last month that Washington plans to offer
> Ukraine more coal exports from the United States because the eastern
> European nation's industrial sector has difficulty securing coal from
> separatist-held regions.
>
> It is unclear how the United States would bring more coal to Ukraine
> but Perry hinted on the call that the Commerce Department was working
> on it.
>
> "The coal conversation at this particular point in time is with
> (Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross) and I full well suspect it will go
> forward," he said on the call.
>
> News of the call came the same day the U.S. House of Representatives
> voted overwhelmingly to impose new sanctions on Russia. [Reuters]
>
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/russian-prankster-convinced-rick-perry-he-was-speaking-ukraine-prime-n786641