U.S. Secret Service agents, in coordination with the NYPD, have dismantled a sophisticated network of devices in the tri-state area capable of disrupting telecommunications systems. The operation, conducted as New York prepares to host world leaders for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), led to the seizure of over 300 SIM card servers and 100,000 SIM cards.
According to the agency, the equipment could have been used to disable cell phone towers, launch denial-of-service attacks, and enable encrypted communications among criminal groups. A significant portion of the devices was located within 35 miles of the UNGA venue, raising concerns over potential targeted disruptions during the high-profile event.
“The potential for disruption to our country’s telecommunications posed by this network cannot be overstated,” said U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran. He emphasized that the operation reflects the agency’s commitment to preemptively neutralizing threats to national security.
As reported by Bloomberg, it remains unclear whether this network is linked to earlier incidents involving impersonation of senior U.S. officials, including White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In one such case, an unidentified individual used a Signal account under Rubio’s name to contact foreign ministers and U.S. officials in mid-June.
The investigation is ongoing.
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