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Added to the wrong group chat? Happened to me too

It’s not the same as being texted secret American war plans, but I have been mistaken for an M&A counter-party twice in the past two years.

Misdirected messages can have huge consequences. Bethany Rae

Peter KerResources reporter

Mar 26, 2025 – 10.41am

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5min

It was one of those text messages that had to be read a few times before it could be fully comprehended.

“Hi Peter, Hope you are well, I see you guys are doing a bit of BD [business development] in bulks and metals,” the text from the chief executive of an ASX-listed mining company read.

“You may have had discussions in the past.

“We have some Cu [copper] projects in WA ... and thought we should have a chat. Are you around over the next few weeks?”

It wasn’t unusual for this chief executive to send a casual text message. We’ve crossed paths many times over the past decade.

But the reference to business development – code for mergers and acquisitions – suggested this was an overture intended for someone else with far deeper pockets than a journalist atThe Australian Financial Review.

“Sorry, wrong Peter,” the CEO quickly added, with two emojis of the crazy person face with the tongue hanging out.

My accidental inclusion in M&A talks between two ASX-listed companies came to mind this week after the editor in chief ofThe Atlanticmagazine, Jeffrey Goldberg, wasinto a highly sensitive conversaccidentally incorporatedation about an imminent US airstrike on the Houthi rebel militia in Yemen.

Goldberg was minding his own business when someone added him to a chat group on the communication platform Signal that seemingly included Vice President J.D. Vance, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and several other members of cabinet.

Goldberg was given a detailed preview of the bombing that would unfold on March 16, and was privy to thebackslapping that followed it.

A stunning breach of classified information? Yes.

An incredible display of incompetence? Yes.

A journalist’s dream scenario? Also yes.

Mining missteps

While M&A in the mining industry is a far cry from American national security intelligence, I have been lucky enough to be mistaken for an M&A counter-party twice in the past two years.

The other time was near Christmas 2023, when I emailed a mining company chairman seeking confirmation that their privately held company had just done a deal to buy two rivals.

I had never dealt directly with this chairman, and was surprised by the familiarity they displayed in their swift reply.

“Peter, How are you, been very busy till try [sic] to solve out port, should have solved out agreement with you on shed 5,” the chairman said.

“Yes we have acquired those two companies.”

The chairman also confirmed their company had not acquired one of the companies I had asked about, but helpfully confirmed that it would “make sense” for their company to do so soon.

“Let’s lock in a time for a lunch early new year, say 8/9 Jan,” the chairman said.