Chinese hackers impersonated U.S. experts in artificial intelligence and a former government official as a means to steal emails from AI experts at think tanks, universities and other organizations, according to a report from the cybersecurity company Proofpoint.

The report, which was released Thursday, dubs the hackers "TA419." Proofpoint watched TA419 regularly attempt to steal passwords from people working for U.S. or Japanese think tanks, defense contractors, universities and law firms, according to the report. 

The tactics TA419 used are consisted with Chinese intelligence collection priorities, leading Proofpoint to attribute the hacking efforts to the Chinese group, Reuters reported. 

Proofpoint said the hackers’ tactics involved writing emails claiming to come from experts in AI or statecraft, including Lynne Parker, who previously worked as the principal deputy director of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy. The emails would propose AI-themed collaborations or initiatives before directing targets toward password-stealing websites.