The US Secret Service disrupted a network of telecommunications devices that could have shut down cellular systems as leaders gather for the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. The agency said on Tuesday that last month it found more than 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards that could have been used for telecom attacks within the area encompassing parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. This network had the power to disable cell phone towers and essentially shut down the cellular network in New York City, said special agent in charge Matt McCool. The discovery occurred within 35 miles (56km) of the UN, where global leaders are meeting this week.
McCool mentioned that the well-organised and well-funded scheme involved nation-state threat actors and individuals that are known to federal law enforcement. The unidentified nation-state actors were sending encrypted messages to organized crime groups, cartels, and terrorist organizations, he added. Officials noted that the equipment could have sent texts to the entire US population within 12 minutes and could launch distributed denial of service attacks that might block emergency dispatch communications.
The devices were seized from SIM farms at several abandoned apartment buildings across more than five sites. The exact locations were not disclosed. This discovery followed an investigation into anonymous telephonic threats directed at three US government officials this spring. One of the officials worked in the Secret Service, while the other two were from the White House.
Additionally, investigators reported finding 80g of cocaine, illegal firearms, as well as computers and phones related to the threat. More than 100 world leaders and delegations have gathered in Midtown Manhattan for the 80th anniversary of the UN General Assembly.
McCool mentioned that the well-organised and well-funded scheme involved nation-state threat actors and individuals that are known to federal law enforcement. The unidentified nation-state actors were sending encrypted messages to organized crime groups, cartels, and terrorist organizations, he added. Officials noted that the equipment could have sent texts to the entire US population within 12 minutes and could launch distributed denial of service attacks that might block emergency dispatch communications.
The devices were seized from SIM farms at several abandoned apartment buildings across more than five sites. The exact locations were not disclosed. This discovery followed an investigation into anonymous telephonic threats directed at three US government officials this spring. One of the officials worked in the Secret Service, while the other two were from the White House.
Additionally, investigators reported finding 80g of cocaine, illegal firearms, as well as computers and phones related to the threat. More than 100 world leaders and delegations have gathered in Midtown Manhattan for the 80th anniversary of the UN General Assembly.
