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Hawaii Attorney General’s Office Warns of Imposter Claiming to be State’s Technology Chief
The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General has issued a public warning about an individual falsely representing himself as the state’s Chief Technology Officer at national conferences and on various online platforms.
Officials identified Iqbal Khowaja as the person who has been impersonating a high-ranking state technology official, most recently at the Bitcoin 2026 Conference held from April 27 to 29 at The Venetian resort in Las Vegas. According to the department’s investigation, this wasn’t an isolated incident—Khowaja has allegedly portrayed himself as Hawaii’s CTO at multiple conferences and across social media profiles.
“We were alerted to this individual’s false claims and quickly took steps to verify the information and respond,” said Tom Alipio, chief of the Investigations Division in the Department of the Attorney General. “When someone falsely presents themselves as a government official, it raises serious concerns about fraud and public deception. Our priority is making sure the public is aware, takes appropriate caution and reports suspicious conduct before others are misled.”
The case highlights growing concerns about identity fraud in the technology sector, particularly in emerging areas like cryptocurrency and blockchain technology where Hawaii has been developing regulatory frameworks. The Bitcoin conference where Khowaja most recently appeared attracts thousands of investors, entrepreneurs, and technology enthusiasts from around the world, making it a high-profile venue for potential misrepresentation.
Hawaii’s actual Chief Information Officer, Christine Sakuda, confirmed that Khowaja has never been employed by the state or affiliated with the Office of Enterprise Technology Services.
“Misrepresentation of state leadership is unacceptable, and we urge organizers and the public to verify credentials before granting speaking platforms or trust,” Sakuda stated.
The impersonation raises particular concerns as Hawaii has been working to position itself as an emerging technology hub in the Pacific. The state has been developing initiatives around cybersecurity, digital government services, and exploring regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology—precisely the types of topics where someone falsely claiming authority might attempt to influence policy discussions or business dealings.
State officials are taking multiple steps to address the situation. The Attorney General’s office has begun notifying conference organizers about the impersonation, and has published screenshots of Khowaja’s LinkedIn profile to help the public identify him. The department is also exploring legal options to prevent further misrepresentation.
As part of its response, the Attorney General’s office issued several recommendations for residents, businesses, and event organizers to protect themselves from similar deception. These include using caution when approached with unsolicited business or investment opportunities tied to purported state affiliations, independently confirming claims through official state websites or direct agency contact, and never providing financial or personal information to anyone whose identity cannot be verified through official sources.
The case underscores the importance of credential verification, particularly for high-profile technology events where speakers might influence significant investment decisions or policy discussions.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted by Khowaja is encouraged to report the incident to local law enforcement or directly to the Department of the Attorney General by emailing HawaiiAG@hawaii.gov.
State officials have not yet disclosed what specific legal actions might be taken against Khowaja, but impersonating a government official can carry serious penalties under both state and federal law.
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14 Comments
While it’s concerning to hear about this case of impersonation, I’m glad the authorities are taking swift action to address it and warn the public. Maintaining trust in government institutions is crucial.
Impersonating a government official is a serious offense that undermines public trust. I hope the authorities are able to thoroughly investigate this case and hold the individual accountable for their actions.
It’s unsettling to hear about someone falsely claiming to be a high-ranking state technology official. I’m glad the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General is taking action to address this issue and warn the public.
This situation highlights the importance of verifying the credentials of individuals claiming to represent government agencies. I commend the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General for their proactive response in addressing this issue.
Absolutely, transparency and accountability should be the top priorities when it comes to government officials. It’s good to see the authorities taking this matter seriously.
Impersonating a government official is a serious offense that undermines public trust. I hope the authorities are able to thoroughly investigate this case and take appropriate action to hold the individual accountable.
This incident raises questions about the individual’s motivations and potential for further deception. I hope the authorities can determine the full scope of this impersonation and prevent any similar incidents in the future.
Yes, it’s critical to get to the bottom of this case and ensure the public is protected from such fraudulent behavior. Transparency and integrity in government should be a top priority.
This is a troubling situation, but I’m encouraged to see the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General taking steps to investigate and respond to this incident. Protecting the public from fraudulent behavior should be a top priority.
I agree. It’s important for the public to be aware of these types of issues and to report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities. Maintaining the integrity of government institutions is essential.
Impersonating a state’s Chief Technology Officer is a concerning abuse of public trust. It’s good that the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General is taking this matter seriously and warning the public.
Absolutely, any misrepresentation of government authority should be swiftly addressed. The public deserves transparency and accountability from their elected officials.
This is troubling to hear about someone impersonating a government official. It’s important for the public to be aware of these types of fraudulent activities and report any suspicious behavior to the authorities.
Agreed, impersonating a public official is a serious offense that undermines public trust. I hope the investigation leads to appropriate consequences for the individual involved.