U.S. Secret Service Dismantles Imminent Telecommunications Threat in the New York Tri-State Area

The operation represented an imminent threat to the agency's protective operations

UNITED STATES — The U.S. Secret Service dismantled a network of electronic devices located throughout the New York tri-state area that were used to conduct multiple telecommunications-related threats directed towards senior government officials.

Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office Matt McCool announced that the Secret Service has uncovered and dismantled a large network of fraudulent cellular devices in the New York Tri-State area capable of enabling encrypted communications and threatening local infrastructure.

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The operation represented an imminent threat to the agency's protective operations. The protective intelligence investigation led to the discovery of more than 300 co-located Subscriber Identity Module servers and 100,000 Subscriber Identity Module cards across multiple sites. The devices were concentrated within 35 miles of the United Nations General Assembly underway in New York City.

The timing, location, and potential for significant disruption to New York telecommunications prompted the agency to move quickly. In addition to carrying out anonymous telephonic threats, these devices could be used to conduct a wide range of telecommunications attacks.

This includes disabling cell phone towers, enabling denial of services attacks, and facilitating anonymous, encrypted communication between potential threat actors and criminal enterprises.

While forensic examination of these devices is ongoing, early analysis indicates cellular communications between nation-state threat actors and individuals who are known to federal law enforcement.

Investigation Details