Secret Service Dismantles Major Telecommunications Threat in New York
Published
- Massive network uncovered: A network of over 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards in the New York tristate area was dismantled.
- Imminent threat disrupted: It could disable cell towers, launch DoS attacks, and facilitate anonymous threats against senior U.S. officials.
- Strategic timing: The devices were located within 35 miles of the UN General Assembly, prompting swift action to neutralize the potential for significant disruption.
The U.S. Secret Service dismantled a large network of electronic devices across the New York tristate area. The operation uncovered an infrastructure capable of launching widespread telecommunications attacks and making anonymous threats against high-level government officials, representing an imminent risk to the agency's protective mission.
Discovery of the New York SIM Server Network
The protective intelligence investigation led to the discovery of a sophisticated and large-scale operation. Agents seized more than 300 co-located SIM servers and an estimated 100,000 SIM cards from multiple sites.
The proximity of this network to the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York City raised immediate security concerns, prompting the agency to take decisive action to disrupt the network.
The timing and location suggested a potential to cause significant disruption during a period of heightened security.
“The potential for disruption to our country’s telecommunications posed by this network of devices cannot be overstated,” said U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran.
Potential for Widespread Telecommunications Attacks
According to the Secret Service, the seized equipment could have been used for a range of malicious activities. Beyond making anonymous telephonic threats, the network had the capability to disable cell phone towers and execute large-scale denial-of-service (DoS) attacks.
Forensic analysis is ongoing, but initial findings indicate the infrastructure may have been used for cellular communications between nation-state actors and individuals known to federal law enforcement.
This operation highlights a successful instance of telecommunications attack prevention related to UN General Assembly security. The investigation is being led by the Secret Service’s new Advanced Threat Interdiction Unit, with assistance from the DHS, DOJ, ODNI, and NYPD.
In 2024, 29 SIM boxes and thousands of SIM cards used in smishing were seized in Australia, resulting in the arrest of six individuals.
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