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Cheap TV boxes may secretly click ads for fraud
You plug a streaming box into your television, connect it to Wi-Fi and settle in for a movie. Meanwhile, that little device may have a completely different job running in the background. Security researchers say some cheap Android TV boxes can secretly route outside traffic through a household's internet connection. New research from Bitsight shows that some boxes may also pretend to be smartphones, visit AI-generated websites and click online ads.
The hidden activity can generate advertising revenue or turn the box into a residential proxy that lets strangers use your home internet connection. Bitsight's latest findings reveal how organized and technically advanced one such operation may have become. That inexpensive streaming box could cost you far more than its purchase price.
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Bitsight threat researcher Pedro Falé uncovered the operation while studying security risks involving cheap Android TV boxes. His team found an expired domain that had previously managed factory backdoors on certain devices. Bitsight registered the domain and began observing the information sent to it.
The domain collected hardware information and lists of installed apps from connected boxes. Researchers quickly noticed something unusual: many of the devices identified themselves as phones from brands including Samsung, Vivo, Huawei and Xiaomi even though their software revealed signs of TV boxes. Falé wrote that researchers noticed "something was wildly wrong." Bitsight eventually named the operation the Fuyao Enterprise.
Bitsight says the Fuyao apps appeared to arrive preinstalled on some Android TV boxes sold under the H96 name. Researchers found the apps most often on older H96 Max V11 devices. However, the available data covered only certain older models that reported to the expired domain. The findings do not establish that every H96 device contains the software. Bitsight also raised the possibility that an original equipment distributor, reseller or custom firmware provider added the apps before the boxes reached consumers. That means researchers cannot say from the available evidence exactly where in the supply chain the software was added.
A Google spokesperson told CyberGuy: "The infected devices are Android Open Source Project devices, not Android TV OS devices or Play Protect certified Android devices. If a device isn't Play Protect certified, Google doesn't have a record of its security and compatibility test results." That distinction is important. These boxes may use Android's open-source code, but they should not be confused with devices running Google's official Android TV OS.
Bitsight has not published a complete list of every device connected to the Fuyao operation. Therefore, you cannot confirm that a box is affected based on its brand alone. Researchers found the Fuyao apps most often on older H96 Max V11 boxes. However, that does not mean every H96 Max V11 is affected or that other models are safe. Google says it does not have the H96 device name we asked about registered as a certified device. However, Google would need additional technical information about the specific device to confirm its certification status. Start by finding your box's exact brand and model number. Check the label on the bottom or back of the device. You may also find it in your order history, purchase receipt or device settings under About or Device Preferences.
Pay closer attention if your box:
These signs do not prove the device contains Fuyao software. However, an H96 Max V11 or an uncertified off-brand box with several warning signs should be treated cautiously. Because malicious software may be built into the firmware, a factory reset may not remove it. Disconnect a suspicious box from your network and consider replacing it with a certified device from a recognized manufacturer.
Bitsight says the Fuyao software could disguise a TV box as a smartphone, then quietly send it to operator-controlled websites containing AI-generated content. The box could view and click ads while appearing to advertising systems like a mobile user. Researchers mapped 144 websites tied to the operation and said the actual network could be larger. Bitsight says the operators also used computer vision to help the bots locate ads when webpage layouts changed. A customized version of Google's Blockly programming tool made it easier for operators to build and send fraud tasks to the boxes. The result was an automated system that could generate fake advertising activity without showing anything unusual on the owner's television. Bitsight says advertisers and ad networks were victims of the scheme.
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One of Bitsight's more unusual findings involved the television's HDMI connection. Bitsight found that the boxes could switch between two money-making jobs. While an HDMI signal indicated that someone was watching TV, the box often acted as a residential proxy. When the TV was off, it could switch to ad fraud. Researchers believe this helped prevent the more resource-intensive ad activity from interfering with streaming. In practical terms, the box could route somebody else's internet traffic while you watched television and start clicking ads after you turned the TV off.
A residential proxy sends another person's online traffic through a normal home internet connection. Websites then see the household's public IP address instead of the stranger's true location.
Residential proxies have legitimate uses, but criminals can also use them to disguise where their activity originates. A compromised-box owner may never realize that outside traffic is passing through the home connection. The FBI has warned that compromised streaming boxes and other connected devices can give criminals access to residential proxy networks. The agency says malware may arrive preinstalled or enter through unofficial apps.
The Fuyao operation is separate from the FBI's BADBOX 2.0 investigation, which has also involved compromised streaming devices and other inexpensive electronics. CyberGuy previously covered the FBI's warning that more than a million Android devices had been hijacked by BADBOX 2.0. Both cases show how an inexpensive connected gadget can quietly become part of a much larger network.
In a 24-hour sample, Bitsight observed 65,957 reports tied to roughly 38,000 unique MAC addresses that appeared to have the Fuyao apps installed. Researchers cautioned that spoofing could make that figure higher than the actual number of physical devices. Their visibility was also limited to some older models from one brand.
Using the roughly 38,000 observed device identities, Bitsight estimated potential ad fraud revenue of about $47,500 per day. Fengwo Group's website claimed more than 120,000 "AI digital humans," although researchers could not confirm that larger fleet. Bitsight estimated that a fleet of that size could potentially generate about $150,000 per day before accounting for possible proxy revenue.
Bitsight attributed the Fuyao operation to Zhejiang Fengwo IoT Technology Co., Ltd., which it says operates under the Fengwo Group name. Bitsight says its attribution is based on evidence including shared digital certificates, internal files, advertising-revenue entities and company patents that appeared to match parts of the Fuyao system. The company's website also advertised more than 120,000 "AI digital humans." Bitsight suggested that phrase could relate to the automated device network, although that remains the researchers' interpretation. These conclusions are based on Bitsight's technical research. A court has not ruled on the allegations.
CyberGuy reached out to Google, Zhejiang Fengwo IoT Technology, Fengwo Group and H96 Max for comment. Google responded with information about the distinction between AOSP and Android TV OS devices, Play Protect certification and consumer security protections. We did not hear back from Zhejiang Fengwo IoT Technology, Fengwo Group or H96 Max before our deadline.
A few checks can help you decide whether that bargain streaming box belongs on your home network.
Buy streaming devices from companies that provide security updates and customer support. Be cautious with unfamiliar brands that promise free access to paid content. Also avoid products advertised as "fully loaded" or "unlocked." Established manufacturers generally provide a clearer path for updates, security information and customer support.
Google recommends checking whether your device is Play Protect certified. On your streaming device, open the Google Play Store. Select your profile icon, then go to Settings > About. Look for Play Protect certification. Google says uncertified devices do not have security and compatibility test results on record with the company. Play Protect can also warn you about or block known malicious apps on certified devices with Google Play Services. This protection can apply to apps installed outside Google Play. Do not assume the Google Play Store means your device is certified. Check the status yourself. You can also review Google's list of official Android TV OS partners to see whether the manufacturer uses the official platform.
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Do not install apps from a marketplace you do not recognize. Stop if setup instructions ask you to disable Google Play Protect. You should also be cautious if a seller tells you to remove Google's official app store. Those instructions bypass safeguards designed to detect harmful apps. An unofficial streaming app may appear to work normally while proxy software runs in the background.
Unplug the streaming box from your television. Then disconnect its Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. Open your router's app or administration page and review the connected-device list. Remove devices you do not recognize. Change your Wi-Fi password if the suspicious box continues to appear. Use a password manager to create and save a strong, unique password. You will need to reconnect your trusted devices with the new password. This is also a good time to review CyberGuy's guide to fixing common home Wi-Fi security risks.
A factory reset may remove apps that were installed after purchase. However, a reset may not eliminate malicious software built into the original firmware. Replacing a suspicious box may be safer than continuing to use it. Do not sell it or give it to someone else. Take the device to a reputable electronics recycling program.
Connect streaming boxes and other smart devices to a guest or IoT network when your router supports one. That separation can make it harder for a compromised box to communicate with computers or other sensitive devices on your primary network. Look for Guest Network, IoT Network or Device Isolation in your router's settings.
A compromised box may use bandwidth when nobody is streaming. Review your router or internet provider's app for unfamiliar devices and unusual overnight traffic. Slow internet alone does not prove that malware is present. However, unexplained activity from an uncertified device deserves attention.
A streaming box may sit on the same network as your phone or computer. Use strong antivirus software on devices that support it. Security software can alert you to malicious downloads, suspicious websites and other threats that try to spread beyond the streaming box. Also keep your operating system, browser and security apps updated. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
The FBI asks consumers to report suspected compromised devices through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. Include the device's brand and model. Add the seller's information along with any suspicious apps or network activity you observed. Save your receipt and take screenshots of anything unusual before disconnecting the device.
I love a good bargain, but I would be careful with any streaming box that connects to your home Wi-Fi. Bitsight found that some H96 devices may have quietly clicked ads or routed outside traffic through a household's internet connection. Google also clarified that the infected devices in this case are AOSP devices, not official Android TV OS or Play Protect certified devices. Before using a bargain streaming box, check its model number and Play Protect certification. If you see several warning signs, disconnect it and consider replacing it.
Do you have a low-cost Android TV box at home, and what did you find when you checked its model and Play Protect certification? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Muse frontman Matthew Bellamy seeks sole custody of kids in divorce from model wife
Muse frontman Matthew Bellamy pulled the plug on his marriage to Elle Evans – and asked the court to give him legal and physical custody of their two young children.
Bellamy filed for divorce on Aug. 12 in Los Angeles. He cited irreconcilable differences as he chose to end the marriage after six years. The musician also invoked the couple’s premarital agreement on key financial issues, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
Bellamy and Evans’ prenup could now take center stage as the couple untangles their finances.
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Bellamy indicated that Evans could receive spousal support under the agreement, while asking the court to shut the door on any support payments to him. Just how much money could be at stake remained a mystery – the filing kept the prenup’s terms and any potential payout under wraps.
The financial loose ends didn’t stop there.
Bellamy admitted he had "yet to determine the full nature and extent" of their separate assets and obligations and flagged the possibility of additional community property and debts still to be sorted out. He also reserved the right to amend the petition, leaving the door open for more financial details – and potentially more disputes – to emerge as the divorce unfolded.
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The divorce petition did not have a date of separation listed, but Bellamy previously revealed he and Evans had split last summer in a June interview with The i Paper. At the time, he admitted the separation was hard to explain.
"Because it’s one of those situations that involves something that people wouldn’t normally think it is," he told the outlet. "It was a set of really unexpected circumstances."
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"It’s the kind of thing no one really prepares for in life," Bellamy said. "It threw me off, and I had to prioritize looking after the kids and creating stability at home."
Bellamy and Evans were first romantically linked in 2015 after reportedly meeting while making the music video for Muse's song "Mercy." Bellamy proposed to Evans during a Fiji vacation in December 2017, and they tied the knot in 2019.
The estranged couple shares a daughter, born in 2020, and a son, born in 2024.
Josh Pate discusses new ESPN show, four faces of ESPN, Pat McAfee and future of media company with OutKick
Josh Pate is the most popular college football commentator on the internet. This fall, he will also expand his partnership with ESPN, co-hosting a new Friday television program with "Bussin' With the Boys" hosts Will Compton and Taylor Lewan from college campuses across the country.
This week, Pate spoke to OutKick about how, not long ago, he was making just $27,000 a year and was eventually evicted from his home. Today, he runs one of the most successful independent brands in sports media and says he turns down sponsorship opportunities to avoid overexposing himself.
During the discussion, I read aloud a text I received from a top sports media agent a few weeks ago, saying that the four people ESPN plans to build around for its future are Pat McAfee, Laura Rutledge, Peter Schrager and Josh Pate.
"Wow. That's company that I don't think I belong in, because I've got pretty big reverence professionally for everyone you just mentioned. I don't know Peter as well. Laura Rutledge is a living, breathing angel. Pat McAfee, to me, when you mention that name, you have to mention that name, and then you have to stop," Pate responded.
"I go back, I use this comparison sometimes. I grew up on pro wrestling, ironically, speaking of Pat. I remember since that Attitude Era, late '90s, when I would have been a kid growing up, there's been this whole industry that has scaled and blown up around retrospectively looking back at that era. One of the concepts that always stood out to me and slapped me in the face, because I can relate to it and apply it to my professional life, is when people talk about the impact Steve Austin had on the industry of pro wrestling," he continued.
"There have been big stars before. There have been guys who made a lot of money. But the transcendent ones, the ones that you look back on a quarter-century later, are the ones who not only created wealth and success for themselves, but created wealth and success for hundreds and thousands of other people merely because they existed. That's Pat McAfee in our space."
While Pate wasn't interested in comparing himself to McAfee, he described his expanded role with ESPN as something that still feels like a dream.
"It's pretty surreal, to be honest with you. Myself, Will Compton and Taylor Lewan...we will be on a different campus every Friday...we wanted to be on campus. We wanted to be with college football fans...Friday is a different vibe, and if you're around college football, you know what I mean. A Friday in a college town, there's sort of this rising action vibe," he explained.
In addition to his new agreement with ESPN, Pate will retain ownership of his media company and his flagship "Josh Pate's College Football Show." Pate explained that the business has five or six primary revenue streams, including YouTube AdSense and other programmatic revenue, brand deals, public speaking engagements, merchandise and talent deals.
"We do a ton of revenue in merchandising because we have fun with it. So that is its own bucket. You've got public events, you've got appearances, you've got speaking engagements. That's its own bucket. You've of course got your talent deals, in this case ESPN," Pate said.
"Because of the way I structure it in my mind, I don't think of them as multiple streams, although they are multiple streams in the classic sense. So you're probably looking at five or six main ones just right there."
Pate told OutKick he has no interest in weighing in on topics simply because others believe someone with a large platform should address them, namely politics and the WNBA. His philosophy is to focus on subjects he knows and that his audience comes to him to discuss.
"It's my responsibility to do whatever I want with my platform," Pate said. "You've got zero right to direct other people on what to do with theirs, because the very nature of them having a platform probably means they know their audience pretty well, and probably means they know what their audience does and doesn't want to hear from them."
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And while college football is his primary passion professionally, Pate says he plans to expand his media company into his second passion: Weather.
"Weather is my other passion. Storm chasing, specifically," Pate said. "This is something I've given a lot of thought to over the past year. It's had a lot of my attention, specifically since last winter. So I don't think this will be a hypothetical for long. I think this is something that we'll try and pursue."
Pate noted that he is not a degreed meteorologist and therefore would not expect to be the face of such a project. But his interest in atmospheric science and storm chasing runs deep. He said he spends between 15 and 30 days on the road storm chasing during the spring.
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"Even if I am covering college football, that may be an avenue we go down one day," he said.
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Finally, Pate explained how important God and his faith are to his daily life.
"Absolutely," Pate responded when asked if he believes in God. "It is woven into every moment of every breath I take. Like every day that I live. I view God as omnipresent in my life. I always have."
Watch our full interview with Josh Pate on YouTube here.
Who controls the Strait of Hormuz right now? Here's what the ship traffic actually shows
As tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain unsettled more than five months since the start of the war, the number of ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz appears to be far below pre-conflict levels.
"Despite a brief recovery in late June, vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains significantly reduced, AIS [Automatic Identification System] transit information suggests operators increasingly favouring the Northern route following projectile attacks, ongoing security concerns, and heightened enforcement activity," a United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) voluntary reporting area overview noted.
"Traffic remains well below normal levels, with AIS-detected transits approximately 90% below pre-conflict baselines and declining since the 24-26 (June) peak."
The trade intelligence company Kpler reported in part of a post Friday on X that "Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz picked up on 13 August, with 13 confirmed crossings, a 44% day on day increase from nine. Of these, nine vessels used the Iranian Unilateral Scheme, none were confirmed on the Hormuz TSS and four routes remained undetermined."
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International Chamber of Shipping Marine Director John Stawpert told Fox News Digital Friday that while "traffic is significantly lower" compared to before the war started, "it's not completely stopped."
"Essentially, what we see is a cyclical process," Stawpert said. He explained that when a ceasefire is announced, there is an "uptick" in vessels entering and exiting the Persian Gulf, but "as those ceasefires break down ... you'll see that drop off again."
He also noted there is still a mine threat in the waters, which affects how much traffic can enter and exit the Persian Gulf.
Stawpert indicated that, to resolve the issue, there would need to be "a meaningful ceasefire that everybody has faith in," an end to the Iranian threat, an end of the U.S. blockade against Iran and a grasp on which waters are "safely navigable" in the face of the threat posed by mines.
President Donald Trump has claimed the U.S. has full control over the waterway.
"The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! Our Naval Blockade is being called, by everyone, 'A WALL OF STEEL,' and there is nothing Iran can do about it," Trump wrote in a Wednesday Truth Social post.
"They have no Navy, they have no Air Force, their remaining soldiers are unpaid, the IRGC is decimated and fleeing, and their 'Leadership' is uncertain, at best! They have No Money — Their country is "shot." All they have is FAKE NEWS and 300% INFLATION, and getting worse! Iran is all talk and no action, the Bully of the Middle East No Longer. Praise be to Allah!" he added.
But the Islamic Republic of Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority said in a post Wednesday on X, "Claims and repeated posts by U.S. officials that the Strait of Hormuz is no longer blocked do not change the reality: the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked and will not be reopened until Iran’s conditions are accepted."
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X Thursday claiming "the U.S. has long miscalculated due to intelligence failures. Case in point: The war on Iran. Now, an even bigger miscalculation on the Strait of Hormuz. Worse than fake news is fake intelligence. Be careful. Allah is Great, Greater than ANY power on Earth. In Allah we trust."
IRAN SAYS US MISCALCULATED OVER STRAIT OF HORMUZ DESPITE TRUMP'S CLAIM OF 'TOTAL CONTROL'
The recently appointed leader of the Iranian Basij paramilitary unit said Thursday that the passage is "under Iran's control and management," Reuters reported.
"There's a northern route which is essentially Iranian controlled. There's a southern route through Omani waters which is overseen by the U.S. Navy," Stawpert explained to Fox News Digital, noting that control over the passage is "divided."
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has touted the flow of oil out of the strait.
"Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the U.S. military and our gulf allies, the seven-day average for oil leaving the Strait of Hormuz is currently up to almost 9 million barrels per day," Wright wrote in a post on X Tuesday.
"When combined with the additional 5-7 million barrels per day leaving the region via newly upgraded pipelines and export facilities, total oil flows are currently averaging approximately 15 million barrels per day. On Sunday alone, over 20 million barrels left the Arabian gulf region, which is above the pre-conflict average."
"In coordination with the U.S. military, the U.S. Department of Energy maintains the best available data related to oil and oil products leaving the Arabian gulf. Many private businesses undercount the number of ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz due to ships moving covertly through the waterway," Wright added in another post.
"We need to bear in mind that there's human beings on board these ships," Stawpert told Fox News Digital, asserting that the "risk" they face is "unacceptable."
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"And that's why this needs to end," he continued, "for those humanitarian reasons, more than anything."
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Colts coach gets wiped out on sideline during preseason game in painful scene
The Indianapolis Colts’ biggest injury from their first preseason game might not have been to a player, but rather to a coach.
Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason was taken out on the final play of scrimmage in the team’s 13-13 tie with the New England Patriots on Thursday night at Gillette Stadium.
Mason, 39, unsuccessfully tried to avoid the Patriots and Colts players who were barreling toward the sideline. He appeared to get hit down low and was then writhing on the ground in pain.
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"He got rolled up right on the sideline that last play," Colts head coach Shane Steichen said postgame. "So we’ll see. He’s getting evaluated for his knee right now."
Mason is entering his fourth season as the team’s special teams coordinator. Last season, his unit was strong, as the Colts ranked second in the NFL in kickoff return average (28.8) and had the lowest opponent punt return average (6.3).
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Despite utilizing three different kickers, Spencer Shrader (13-of-14), Blake Grupe (11-of-11) and Michael Badgley (10-of-11), the Colts had the second-highest field goal percentage (94.4) in the NFL.
Prior to joining the Colts, Mason had spent his coaching career in college football. He began as a student assistant at Denison in 2007-08 and eventually bounced around a few schools as a graduate assistant before becoming Cincinnati’s director of recruiting and special teams assistant in 2017.
In 2018, he was promoted to special teams coordinator and remained in that role with Cincinnati until 2021, when he left and took the special teams coordinator job at Notre Dame.
After one season with Notre Dame in 2022, he joined the Colts. The Colts will hope to have Mason back on the sideline sooner rather than later.
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Cathy Engelbert sure seemed to know what a woman was at her first WNBA press conference
For those hoping the WNBA would be able to end the week by giving us their official definition of a "woman," I've got some bad news for you.
This cliffhanger is gonna keep you sweating through the weekend!
That's right. Another day of silence out of the WNBA as the league struggles on what is apparently the hardest question in the history of time ...
What is a woman?
The league formed a task force late last week to tackle this problem, and, after days of deliberation, they still haven't come to a conclusion. Shocking.
Of course, they did use that time to blame fans and the media for sewing division within the sport, calling out "bad-faith" efforts and accusing us of using players as political pawns.
That's a tad hypocritical coming from a league that shoved BLM down our throats for an entire summer, if you ask me. But what do I know?
The WNBA has limited options after two men declared for the draft, and those options aren't great
Anyway, speaking of things that happened a long time ago that we're apparently now ignoring, let's check in with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who has been radio silent for weeks now on the ongoing culture war.
Engelbert was introduced as the league's commissioner in 2019, and certainly seemed to know all about women — and the importance of "women's advancement" — during an introductory press conference that came back to light this week:
"It’s such an exciting and important time in its history, and more importantly, a moment in time for women’s leadership," she said at the time. "There’s no place like sports where women and girls can gather confidence and be exceptional in life, and that’s the benefit I had from playing sports at an early age. I see tremendous opportunity to essentially bolster visibility for the sport, women’s basketball, around the player experience, the fan experience, fan engagement.
"For those that don’t know me, this role brings together kind of a perfect combination of my more than 30 years of business experience and my passion for the sport of basketball, and then really I’ve dedicated at least the last decade to women’s advancement."
Yes, I did some digging on this middle Friday of August, and stumbled upon Engelbert's first presser as WNBA commish.
And boy, is it a humdinger given the current 'trans in women's sports' debate that has engulfed the league this summer.
Engelbert mentioned the word "woman" 33 times during her press conference, and harped on the phrases, "women's advancement," "women's leadership," and "women's initiatives" throughout the availability.
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She spent a large portion of her presser talking about her upbringing, which included a family of five brothers and a father, all who played basketball.
"I think I do tell a story a lot about being a woman leader in a man’s world," she said when asked about breaking glass ceilings in a male-dominated industry.
"Obviously, it started even from my family with the five brothers. I went to a college that was more male than female when I first arrived there…joined a profession that was very male dominated and kind of worked very hard on our women’s advancement and women’s initiatives."
I don't know about you, but this certainly doesn't sound like someone who would want a biological male in her league. I'm just spit-balling here.
Engelbert — who has recently locked her X account — also spent a large portion of that presser discussing her previous job at Deloitte, where she was the first female CEO in history to lead a Big Four accounting firm.
She was proud of that fact, and rightfully so.
"Yeah, I’ll tell you, there were three things that I was thinking of after obviously a long career with one firm," she said. "Very safe to say I wanted something different, something with a women’s leadership platform and something I have a passion for.
"Really just having experience with the WNBA as a fan and kind of evaluating the upside and the moment in women’s leadership that I’ve been so passionate about. For instance, I am on the chair board of Catalyst, which is an organization around women’s leadership that works for women, works for everyone as their mission.
"I really thought this was a good fit, particularly with the W looking for a woman business leader with a passion for the game, and so the timing worked and it was a good fit, and I was very intrigued by the upside of how great these world class women athletes are who are playing a game that I love."
There's that word again! For someone who refused to come out this week and define what a woman is, Cathy Engelbert sure had no issue using the word back in 2019.
She had no problem talking about her upbringing, as a woman. Her struggles, as a woman. Her business endeavors, as a woman. Or highlighting the fact that she was the chair of a company that was literally built "around women's leadership."
So, what changed? How does one go from that, to this:
"I know many of you have received questions in recent weeks regarding transgender athlete participation in women’s basketball, and I expect this topic will continue to receive significant attention," Engelbert wrote in a memo last week. "We recognize that this is a complex and nuanced topic, and we will continue to have important conversations with all of you and the Players Association in the weeks and months ahead."
That doesn't sound like the same commissioner from 2019.
It sounds like a lot of word salad from someone who built her entire career on being a woman.
And, frankly, it sounds like someone who is probably on her way out.
GSA finds China-made tech labeled ‘Made in USA’ in federal procurement program, orders sweeping review
FIRST ON FOX — An independent federal agency is under review for allegedly listing foreign-made products as American, including technology manufactured in China, and the Trump administration is demanding a sweeping audit of its products, pricing and supply chains.
In a draft letter viewed exclusively by Fox News Digital, the General Services Administration directs the U.S. AbilityOne Commission to verify the country of origin of every product on its Mandatory Procurement List and conduct a comprehensive audit of products offered through GSA on pricing, sourcing and compliance with federal law and procurement policy.
"Federal tax dollars spent on the AbilityOne program should support jobs for blind and disabled Americans, not foreign competitors," GSA Administrator Edward Forst wrote in a statement.
AbilityOne oversees a federal purchasing program intended to provide employment opportunities for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. Federal agencies are generally required to buy products and services placed on the commission’s mandatory list from participating nonprofit organizations.
"Many of AbilityOne’s product offerings raise serious national security concerns and cast doubt on its ability to carry out its mission," Forst added in the statement. "GSA will not allow questionable products to undermine the security of the federal marketplace."
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Forst's department sent a letter to AbilityOne Commission Chair Christina Brandt to follow through on President Donald Trump’s March 2026 executive order requiring truthful "Made in America" advertising across federal procurement. The audit has also drawn interest from Vice President JD Vance's anti-fraud task force.
"GSA requests that the Commission promptly conduct a full audit of all items offered for sale through GSA and related procurement data to verify COO [Country of Origin] representations, pricing, sourcing, and compliance with applicable law and policy," Forst's letter dated Friday read.
"Such an audit is necessary to provide transparency and accountability to the American people, protect the integrity of Federal procurement, and ensure that taxpayer dollars are not supporting inaccurate or misleading claims."
GSA said it found multiple examples of AbilityOne-associated technology products labeled on GSA procurement platforms as "Country of Origin: USA" that are, in fact, from foreign countries like China.
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AbilityOne was given until Nov. 12 to respond to GSA's "areas of concern" and provide corrected country-of-origin information for products offered through the Federal Acquisition Service Verified Product Portal, address products currently listed with unclear origin designations and provide documentation explaining how it will conduct ongoing reviews.
"GSA holds all its contractors to the highest standards," Forst's letter concluded. "To ensure we apply the same rules to the AbilityOne Program, I'm instructing my Senior Procurement Executive to promptly take appropriate action to eliminate the exception that permits the Commission to offer items originating in China and other non-allied nations. He will work with GSA and the Commission to ensure effective implementation."
"GSA appreciates the Commission’s prompt attention to this matter. Ensuring that PL products available through GSA channels are fully compliant is essential to maintaining the integrity of the AbilityOne Program, the Federal marketplace, and the Government’s procurement obligations," he added.
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The letter goes beyond country-of-origin concerns, raising questions about pricing and executive compensation at nonprofits participating in the program.
GSA said AbilityOne-affiliated nonprofits can sell products to the government with markups of as much as 55%, depending on pricing arrangements. The agency alleged that some products provide "limited or no meaningful employment or value added to the taxpayer" while nonprofit executives receive compensation reaching more than $1 million annually.
The letter contrasts those figures with an average annual salary of approximately $33,000 for blind workers, citing National Industries for the Blind data. An appendix identifies several AbilityOne nonprofits where executive compensation reportedly ranged from $500,000 to more than $1 million.
GSA also pointed to previous False Claims Act cases involving AbilityOne nonprofits.
Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired, a Wisconsin nonprofit, agreed to pay $1.9 million in 2020 to resolve federal allegations involving false claims and kickbacks on government contracts. GSA also cited a 2021 settlement in which Connecticut-based CW Resources paid $600,000 to resolve allegations that it falsely certified compliance with AbilityOne labor requirements.
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Those settlements involved allegations resolved in prior cases and are separate from the country-of-origin findings outlined in the new GSA letter.
Those figures are expected to intensify scrutiny of whether participating organizations are directing enough federal contract revenue toward their workforce and whether executive compensation is consistent with AbilityOne’s mission.
The National Council on Disability (NCD), an independent federal advisor, is concerned the "policy relic" is "failing" in its mission, another example of how government waste, fraud and abuse must be audited by the Trump administration’s anti-fraud task force led by Vance.
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"For years, NCD has reported that AbilityOne is a policy relic that hasn’t kept up with the needs of Americans with disabilities," NCD Acting Chair Neil Romano wrote in a statement Friday. "This is just another example of that overall failing."
Fox News Digital reached out to AbilityOne for comment on the allegations and the call for an audit and has not yet heard back.
GSA is also scrutinizing an AbilityOne policy known as "Essentially the Same," which allows certain products to be substituted for items already approved for the mandatory list. According to the draft letter, foreign-made goods have quietly displaced American products through that process, undercutting domestic manufacturers while continuing to benefit from preferential federal purchasing rules.
Alex Murdaugh defense says murder weapon may be tied to separate killing as judge seeks answers
Alex Murdaugh’s defense attorneys on Friday raised an unverified claim that a recent Allendale County homicide could be connected to the Murdaugh murders, surprising prosecutors and the judge overseeing his retrial.
Murdaugh returned to court after the South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously overturned his 2023 convictions and two life sentences earlier this year for the killings of his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and son, Paul Murdaugh.
The court found that former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill improperly influenced jurors, depriving Murdaugh of an impartial jury, and ordered a new trial. Murdaugh remains imprisoned on separate state and federal financial-crime sentences.
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On Friday, defense attorney Jim Griffin told South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Debra McCaslin that the defense learned through FITSNews reporting that a recent Allendale County murder may have involved weapons connected to the Murdaugh case.
Griffin said the defense wanted the state to investigate and turn over any related records.
FITSNews told Fox News Digital that Griffin’s reference was to its Aug. 8 "Week in Review" YouTube episode. According to a transcript reviewed by Fox News Digital, FITS founding editor Will Folks and research director Jenn Wood discussed what they described as an unverified report involving a possible third gun at the Moselle crime scene.
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"We’re hearing reports that a Murdaugh gun was used in a subsequent crime," Folks said. "We’re not going to say where at this point. We’re not going to get into the details."
Folks said the outlet was investigating whether the firearm was tied to the Murdaugh family and perhaps one of the guns that has never been recovered.
Wood cautioned that the information had not been confirmed.
"It’s a pretty consistent rumor and, you know, I’m hearing it from very good sources," Wood said. "We have not been able to validate a lot of it, and I’m not sure if it’s even the gun. It just said that it was tied to the murder of Maggie and Paul Murdaugh."
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Neither speaker identified Allendale County, described a ballistics comparison or said investigators had established that a weapon used in the Murdaugh killings was used in a subsequent crime.
At Friday’s hearing, Griffin did not identify the victim, the alleged weapon or any testing that supported the purported connection. He said the defense wanted related records as potential Brady material — evidence that could be favorable to the defense.
Griffin told McCaslin that a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) firearms examiner testified at Murdaugh’s first trial that shell casings from the .300 Blackout rifle used to kill Maggie Murdaugh bore extraction marks matching casings recovered from the Murdaugh family’s shooting range.
Griffin said that if shell casings from the Allendale County case matched casings tied to the Murdaugh murders, the defense wanted the underlying testing and investigative records.
Such a finding, he argued, could raise questions about the original ballistics analysis or suggest that a firearm associated with the Murdaugh case was later used in another killing.
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Lead prosecutor Creighton Waters told the court the allegation was entirely new to him.
"I have never heard the first thing about that," Waters said, adding that he communicates with SLED daily and had not been told of any such development.
"I will certainly look into that, but I would be flabbergasted to find out that actually had happened and no one had advised this office of that," Waters said.
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McCaslin also appeared struck by the allegation.
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"As far as the murder in Allendale with the murder weapons, you certainly raised my eyebrows on that," McCaslin told Griffin.
Griffin said FITSNews had broken other Murdaugh-related stories before the defense learned of them. He also told the court that a podcast included a reference to the alleged connection.
McCaslin directed Griffin to send the material to Waters for review.
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Waters said he does not follow podcasts or blogs covering the case.
"I don’t watch the podcast and I don’t read the blogs because I try to base what I’m doing on the evidence and not on speculation that’s out there in the media," Waters said. "It would blow my mind if something like that had happened in SLED and not call me."
No evidence establishing a connection between an Allendale County homicide and weapons used in the Murdaugh killings has been presented.
Waters later said during Friday's hearing that SLED then told him there is no known ballistics match linking a .300 Blackout used in an Allendale County shooting to another crime. Waters said the firearm evidence from the Allendale case was entered into a ballistics database but "there have been no leads or no matches on that."
"I’m going to find out more and double check, and we’re going to run this down," Waters said, adding that SLED told him there were "no leads or hits" involving the .300 Blackout used in the Allendale shooting.
Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
Massachusetts mayor charged with wire fraud in $1.5M COVID relief scheme
The mayor of a Boston suburb is facing federal wire fraud and money laundering charges for allegedly using more than $1.5 million in pandemic-era small business loans to pad his campaign account, pay personal taxes, and settle high-interest real estate debts.
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena, 61, was arrested Friday morning following an investigation into his alleged misuse of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) — a program administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the CARES Act to assist struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
DePena was elected mayor of Lawrence in November 2021 and won reelection in November 2025. He previously served on the Lawrence City Council from 2016 to 2021.
"Mayor DePena was elected to be a leader for the City of Lawrence," said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. "He was looked up to and trusted by his constituents, but he betrayed that trust through his alleged corruption and lies. Today’s arrest is just another example of our determination to root out fraud by anyone, even public officials, and hold elected officials accountable."
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In May 2020, DePena applied for an EIDL on behalf of his business, Tenares Tire Service Inc., an auto service and tire shop in Lawrence. The EIDL funds, which carried a 3.75% interest rate, were only to be used to alleviate pandemic-related financial struggles for businesses.
The SBA initially approved a $150,000 loan for Tenares Tire in June 2020. However, DePena sought additional funding months later upon facing cash flow issues. In April 2021, he applied for an increase and was approved for a $350,000 modification. A second loan modification followed in October 2021 that brought the total to $1.1 million.
Upon the second loan modification, DePena was unable to access the funds for a month, resulting in panic, officials said.
"Brother, call me, I’m in trouble. I don’t want to pressure you, but I don’t have time to wait for this loan. I’m in your hands," DePena allegedly wrote in a translated Spanish text message to a financial advisor assisting with the loan application.
"I know I’m bothering you a lot, but I have no other option," he added. "Only you can give me what I need."
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Upon receiving the funds, prosecutors claim DePena began diverting them. Between August and October 2021, he allegedly transferred nearly $90,000 from his business accounts to personal accounts, subsequently writing checks totaling over $42,000 directly to "The Committee to Elect Brian DePena".
In addition, officials said he used the taxpayer funds to pay off personal debts, including $85,000 paid to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to settle personal back taxes and another $883,293 to pay off high-interest mortgages on personal properties he owned in Lawrence.
"CARES Act funds were created to help small businesses survive an unprecedented national crisis — not to bankroll personal debts, political ambitions, or real estate ventures," said Thomas Demeo, special agent in charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Boston Field Office. "IRS Criminal Investigation remains committed to protecting taxpayer dollars, pursuing those who exploit federal relief funds, and ensuring that financial integrity is upheld at every step."
As of Aug. 5, DePena had made only 16 payments toward the Tenares Tire EIDL, totaling $130,160. Since the payments went toward the accrued interest, the outstanding loan balance remains at approximately $1.65 million, the complaint states.
DePena is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Boston federal court on Friday afternoon. He faces up to 30 years in prison.
The mayor's office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Air Force athletes chasing Olympic dreams in between serving the nation in a critical time
As U.S. airmen carry out combat operations in the war with Iran, a small group of service members is representing the Air Force in a different arena: elite international sports.
Through the World Class Athlete Program, or WCAP, Air Force athletes can train full-time while remaining on active duty. Their assignment is to compete at the highest level, promote the service and attempt to qualify for the Olympic Games. When their athletic careers end, they return to conventional military roles.
The program’s mission has taken on added weight since U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran on Feb. 28. An April 6 CENTCOM fact sheet said American forces had struck more than 13,000 targets using bombers, fighters, tankers, surveillance aircraft, electronic-warfare platforms and airlifters. The conflict remained unresolved in August.
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Against that backdrop, Airman First Class Anita Alvarez, 2nd Lt. Texas Tanner and 1st Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson are training toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Retired Air Force combat rescue officer Chad Senior offers an example of how an elite athlete’s experience can eventually translate into operational military service.
Their circumstances are not identical. Alvarez and Senior are Olympians, although Senior competed through the Army’s athlete program before joining the Air Force. Tanner and Hendrickson have not yet reached the Olympics, but both have won major national championships while serving.
Alvarez entered the Air Force as an established Olympic medalist. She had already competed in three Olympic Games and helped the United States win the artistic-swimming team silver medal in Paris in 2024.
She entered basic military training in November 2024 and graduated at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in January 2025. According to the Air Force, she became the first Olympic medalist specifically recruited into the Department of the Air Force’s WCAP program.
The Air Force did not produce her Olympic medal, but it has helped extend her career. Before enlisting, Alvarez said she balanced eight-hour training days with side jobs, school and uncertainty about what she would do after leaving her sport. WCAP allowed her to make training, recovery and mental preparation her full-time job.
"I can put everything not only into the physical training every day, but also into my mental performance, into my recovery," Alvarez said.
Her results since joining the service suggest the arrangement is working. World Aquatics records show that Alvarez won two World Cup bronze medals in team events in 2025. In 2026, she added a team acrobatic gold medal in Medellin, three silver medals in team and duet events, and two more bronze medals.
Alvarez is also completing her degree while considering a post-athletic Air Force career. She expressed interest in aerospace physiology, becoming an officer and possibly pursuing pilot training.
Listening to other airmen discuss deployments and operational missions has also changed how she views her athletic assignment.
"I’m grateful for the opportunities to be able to compete and travel and do all these things in my sport because of the military members and what they’re doing overseas," Alvarez said.
Tanner’s rise came through the Air Force Academy. The Sheridan, Wyoming, native completed one of the strongest throwing careers in Academy history before graduating and receiving his commission in 2026.
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During his final collegiate season, Tanner set American collegiate records in both the discus and hammer. He finished second in the hammer and fourth in the discus at the NCAA outdoor championships, ending his Academy career as a six-time All-American.
Only weeks after commissioning, Tanner won his first senior national championship. He threw 65.46 meters to capture the U.S. discus title in New York on July 25, winning by nearly a meter and a half. Two days earlier, he placed sixth in the hammer with a throw of 71.64 meters.
The performance moved Tanner closer to his goal of competing at the Los Angeles Games.
"It was to be a national champion," Tanner said. "Now that I’ve accomplished that, it’s to be the best in the world."
Tanner said military service is part of a family tradition that includes his father, aunt, uncle, cousin and grandfather. He did not enter the Academy expecting to become a professional athlete, but WCAP opened that path after he had already committed to military service.
When his throwing career ends, Tanner expects to enter Air Force contracting, helping acquire the goods and services needed to operate aircraft, installations and military units.
"To be able to serve my country in more ways than one is honestly just something that is a legacy through my family," Tanner said.
Hendrickson has produced one of WCAP’s most visible recent achievements. After graduating from the Air Force Academy in 2024, he used his final season of college eligibility at Oklahoma State while serving on active duty through the program.
In March 2025, Hendrickson defeated Olympic champion Gable Steveson to win the NCAA heavyweight wrestling championship. He finished the season undefeated and received the Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation’s outstanding college wrestler.
Hendrickson then won the 2025 Pan American championship and earned a place on the U.S. senior world team. He placed 17th at that year’s World Championships before returning in 2026 to win another Pan American title.
In June, Hendrickson defeated world medalist Mason Parris in two consecutive matches at Final X, securing the 125-kilogram position on the U.S. world team for the second straight year.
"If this were an Olympic year, I’d be an Olympian," Hendrickson said.
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His long-term goal is an Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles. He said WCAP provides the command support and resources that make it possible for him to continue wrestling while remaining an active-duty officer.
"If it weren’t for WCAP, I would not be a wrestler today," Hendrickson said. "They are really the backbone of support while I’m trying to pursue an Olympic gold medal."
Hendrickson also acknowledged that other airmen are performing operational work he otherwise might be doing. After wrestling, he expects to serve as an acquisitions officer responsible for obtaining equipment and other resources for the Air Force.
"I really have to give more credit to the airmen that are kind of filling my role right now," he said. "Hopefully I can repay them by bringing back a gold medal for the United States of America."
Senior’s career shows what that transition from international competition to military operations can look like.
Senior competed in modern pentathlon through the Army’s World Class Athlete Program. He entered the 2000 Olympic year ranked No. 1 in the world, finished sixth at the Sydney Games and placed 13th at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
After the Sept. 11 attacks, Senior decided to leave elite competition and move into a more operational military role. He became an Air Force combat rescue officer and served with the 920th Rescue Wing and 308th Rescue Squadron.
Air Force and Army records credit him with two deployments to Afghanistan and one to Iraq. He later became the 308th Rescue Squadron’s director of operations and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel before retiring.
Senior now works as a contractor supporting the Air Force and helping plan contingency rescues for human-spaceflight crews.
He argues that WCAP’s value cannot be measured only by medals. Elite athletes arrive with years of experience in discipline, teamwork, failure and high-pressure performance. Those qualities, he said, can later strengthen operational military units.
Senior views the program as an investment serving three groups: athletes receive the opportunity to pursue world-class goals, the military gains future service members and recruiting ambassadors, and taxpayers gain personnel accustomed to performing under stress.
The real return, he said, comes after athletes leave competition and bring those habits back to the military.
For Alvarez, Tanner and Hendrickson, that test remains ahead. Their present assignment is not combat service, and none claimed that winning a medal was equivalent to carrying out a military mission.
Instead, they described their athletic careers as another form of representation — and as preparation for the work they will eventually perform outside the pool, throwing circle or wrestling arena.
Alvarez is pursuing a fourth Olympic appearance. Tanner is a national champion only months after receiving his commission. Hendrickson has earned consecutive positions on the U.S. world team.
Their immediate objective is Los Angeles. The Air Force’s longer wager is that the discipline required to reach the Olympics will remain valuable after the competition ends and a different kind of service begins.