Intelligence Service Disrupts Extensive Telecommunications Network
The intelligence service has interrupted a large telecommunications network in the New York Tri-State area, which investigators say had the potential to cause serious disorder and pose a threat to the United Nations General Assembly.
Discovery of SIM Farms
The US secret service announced that it had discovered active SIM farms in abandoned residential buildings at more than five locations. A total of 300 SIM servers, containing over 100,000 SIM cards, were found to be encrypted and capable of anonymous communication, with the ability to send 30 million text messages per minute.
Potential Threat
According to officials, the servers were powerful enough to deactivate cell phone towers and launch distributed denial-of-service attacks, potentially blocking emergency communications such as EMS and police services. "This network had the potential to deactivate cell phone towers and essentially shut down the mobile network in New York City," said Matt McCool, Special Agent from the US Secret Service.
Investigation and Findings
The investigation was triggered by telephone threats made against several high-ranking US officials last spring, including individuals protected by the Secret Service. Although the network was discovered within the past three weeks, officials say it had been in operation for some time. An early analysis of the network shows that it was used for communication between foreign governments and individuals known to US law enforcement authorities, including members of gangs, crime syndicates, drug cartels, and human trafficking rings.
Forensic Analysis
The US Secret Service is currently conducting a thorough forensic analysis of the over 100,000 SIM cards, which is expected to yield more information about the network and its users. "Each SIM basically has the equivalent data of a mobile phone. So we’re working through every call, every text, and every search on these SIM cards," said an official.
Equipment and Location
The equipment was found within 35 miles of the United Nations in New York, just before the UN General Assembly. In addition to the SIM servers, investigators also found 80 grams of cocaine, illegal firearms, computers, and phones. The proximity of the network to the UN and its potential to disrupt communications posed a significant threat to the organization.
Organization and Financing
Officials describe the network as "well-organized and well-financed," suggesting that it was not a small-scale operation. "This is not a group of people in a basement who are playing a video game and trying to play a prank," said an official. The timing and location of the network’s discovery, just before the UN General Assembly, have raised concerns about its potential to influence the organization.
Investigation and Next Steps
The investigation is ongoing, and although no arrests have been made yet, officials say that there could be arrests in the future. The US Secret Service has attributed the threats to individuals involved in the coordination of the network, and the criminal investigation is being led by the agency in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies. The agency has thanked the Department of Justice, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the NYPD, and other state and local law enforcement agencies for their technical assistance and support.
