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1h ago

Secret Service Dismantles Covert SIM-Server Network Near UN That Could Cripple NYC Cell Service

Investigators are combing through 100,000 seized SIM cards to determine the network’s purpose.

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Law enforcement officials discovered over 300 SIM servers within 35 miles of New York City, which they believe are being used by foreign governments and criminals in the US.
Left, Secret Service Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office Matt McCool in a video shared by the agency detailing the uncovering of a telecoms threat. Right, some of the equipment discovered by the Secret Service across the New York tristate area.
Law enforcement officials uncovered over 300 SIM servers all within the New York tristate area.

Overview

  • More than 300 SIM servers and over 100,000 SIM cards were seized across multiple sites within 35 miles of U.N. headquarters, including abandoned apartment buildings.
  • Officials said the system could disable cell towers, jam 911, launch denial-of-service attacks, and send up to 30 million text messages per minute.
  • The investigation began after spring telephonic threats to senior U.S. officials, with the seized hardware used to route anonymous communications tied to those threats.
  • Early analysis indicates communications between foreign actors and individuals known to federal law enforcement, with possible links to organized crime and cartels, though no countries were named.
  • No arrests have been announced as a multiagency probe led by the Secret Service and HSI continues, and officials report no specific plot against the U.N. General Assembly or credible threat to New York City.