Secret Service agents have dismantled a network of electronic devices at multiple locations around New York City that could be used to disable the city's cellphone network, officials said Tuesday. They said the system was also used to anonymously convey assassination threats against senior U.S. officials and for criminal activities.
In five locations within 35 miles of New York, Secret Service agents discovered more than 300 co-located SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards, officials said. They said the system could also be used for criminal activity and that 80 grams of cocaine, illegal firearms, computers and cellphones were also found.
"These devices allowed anonymous, encrypted communications between potential threat actors and criminal enterprises, enabling criminal organizations to operate undetected," Matt McCool, the head of the Secret Service New York field office, said in a video statement released Tuesday morning. "This network had the potential to disable cellphone towers and essentially shut down the cellular network in New York City."
McCool said officials were investigating whether the people who created the network planned to use it to disrupt the United Nations General Assembly, which is taking place this week in New York.
Two other officials familiar with the matter said that there was no specific plot to shut down New York’s cellphone system and that no one has been arrested. They said such centers — known as SIM farms — exist across the country.
Some people use the SIM card farms to make anonymous calls, cheap international calls or marketing calls, the officials said. Criminal groups also use the centers use the centers for spam calls.
McCool said the investigation continues.
“These recovered devices no longer pose a threat to the New York tristate area,” he said. “We will continue working towards identifying those responsible and their intent, including whether their plan was to disrupt the U.N. General Assembly and communications of government and emergency personnel during the official visit of world leaders in and around New York City.”
Another official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the networks could also be used to disable EMS and police communications, as well as for encrypted communications.
“This network can be used to disable cellphone towers. It can enable 'denial of service' attacks, which means, basically, they could block EMS or police from responding to a scene if needed,” the official said. “They can also be used to do anonymous, encrypted communication.”
Officials said agents were searching through the SIM cards to determine who created the network. “We’re working through every call, every text, every search made on those SIM cards,” the official said.
McCool said the Secret Service discovered the network after the number of threats to U.S. officials it was protecting grew this year.
“Following multiple telecommunications-related imminent threats directed towards senior U.S. government officials this spring, the U.S. Secret Service began a protective intelligence investigation to determine the extent and impact these threats could have on protective operations,” he said.
The Secret Service declined to name the officials who were threatened.
