Tuesday

10-21-2025 Vol 2120

Secret Service Dismantles SIM Network in New York, Investigating Assassination Threats

The Secret Service has dismantled a sprawling network of electronic devices across various locations in New York City, which had the potential to compromise the city’s cellphone network, according to officials on Tuesday.

This network was reportedly used to anonymously deliver assassination threats against senior U.S. officials and was linked to various criminal activities.

During their operation, Secret Service agents uncovered over 300 co-located SIM servers and approximately 100,000 SIM cards at five locations within a 35-mile radius of New York City.

Officials explained that the system could disable cellphone towers, effectively crippling the cellular network in New York City.

Matt McCool, head of the Secret Service New York field office, stated in a video release, “These devices allowed anonymous, encrypted communications between potential threat actors and criminal enterprises, enabling criminal organizations to operate undetected.”

He also mentioned that they were probing the possibility that this network could be used to interfere with the ongoing United Nations General Assembly, which is currently taking place in New York.

Despite the nature of the findings, two officials who are familiar with the investigation noted that there was no specific plot to disrupt the city’s cellphone system, and there have been no arrests to date.

They emphasized that such SIM farms, as they are known, are present throughout the country.

Officials revealed that people often utilize SIM card farms for a range of purposes, such as making anonymous or cheap international calls, in addition to marketing calls.

However, criminal organizations also exploit these systems for engaging in spam calls.

Matt McCool remarked that the investigation remains ongoing.

“These recovered devices no longer pose a threat to the New York tristate area,” he asserted.

“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.”

An anonymous official stated that the networks could also disable emergency medical services (EMS) and police communications, as well as facilitate encrypted communication.

“Their capabilities extend to disabling cellphone towers, enabling denial of service attacks, which could block EMS or police from responding to an emergency,” the official explained.

“They can also be used to perform anonymous, encrypted communications.”

Authorities are currently investigating the SIM cards in detail to trace the individuals behind this network.

“We’re working through every call, every text, every search made on those SIM cards,” said one official.

The Secret Service initiated this investigation following an uptick in threats aimed at U.S. officials under its protection earlier this spring.

“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,” McCool stated.

He added that the names of the threatened officials are not being disclosed at this time.

image source from:nbcnews

Abigail Harper