Summary
The United States Secret Service found and disrupted a network of telecom devices near the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This equipment could have sent millions of disruptive texts per minute and might have disabled cell phone networks.
Key Facts
- The Secret Service dismantled a network capable of sending 30 million disruptive texts per minute.
- Over 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards were found across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
- The network had the ability to disable cell phone towers in New York City.
- Leaders from around the world were attending the UN General Assembly in New York when the devices were found.
- Officials say the scheme involved nation-state actors communicating with organized crime and terrorist groups.
- The equipment was seized from SIM farms at abandoned apartment buildings across more than five sites.
- The investigation began after threats were directed at three US government officials this spring.
- Authorities discovered illegal drugs, firearms, computers, and phones during the investigation.
