Particle.news
Download on the App Store
33 ARTICLES
·
1h ago

Secret Service Dismantles SIM-Server Network Near UN With Power To Cripple NYC Cell Service

Early forensics point to links between foreign actors and organized crime during analysis of more than 100,000 seized SIM cards.

Image
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.
Image

Overview

  • Agents seized more than 300 SIM servers and over 100,000 SIM cards across multiple New York–area sites within 35 miles of the United Nations headquarters.
  • Officials say the network could disable cell towers, jam 911 and EMS dispatch, launch denial‑of‑service attacks, and send up to 30 million text messages per minute.
  • The probe was triggered by telephonic threats and swatting incidents targeting senior U.S. officials in the spring, with the hardware seized in recent weeks.
  • No arrests have been announced, forensic work is ongoing, and authorities report no specific or credible plot against the U.N. General Assembly.
  • Homeland Security Investigations is leading the criminal case with support from the Secret Service, DOJ, ODNI and NYPD, and agents also recovered illegal firearms, cocaine and electronics.