Secret Service Disarms High-Tech Telecom Network Threatening New York City During UN General Assembly
New York — The U.S. Secret Service has successfully dismantled an extensive telecommunications threat poised to disrupt cellular service in New York City, specifically targeting the period surrounding the United Nations General Assembly this week, officials announced Tuesday.
Authorities uncovered a sprawling, sophisticated network of electronic devices and SIM farms strategically sited within a 35-mile radius of the United Nations headquarters. These devices were capable of launching large-scale cyberattacks, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) assaults that could have disabled cell phone towers and crippled emergency communications throughout the city.
The investigation, triggered by telephonic threats made in the spring to multiple senior U.S. government officials—including persons under Secret Service protection—led to the seizure of more than 300 SIM servers, housing over 100,000 SIM cards, at abandoned apartment buildings across more than five sites in the New York tri-state area.
According to U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool, the seized network had the capability to send up to 30 million text messages per minute, which could have effectively shut down New York City’s cellular network by overwhelming the infrastructure. “This network had the potential to disable cell phone towers and essentially shut down the cellular network in New York City,” McCool stated in an agency-released video.
An official familiar with the case revealed that the network had the power to broadcast text messages nationwide within 12 minutes, underscoring the high level of coordination and funding behind the operation. “This was well organized and well funded,” the official said.
Despite the magnitude of the threat, federal officials confirmed that there is currently no credible, active threat to the United Nations or New York City following the dismantling of this network. The seizure represents one of the largest operations of its kind, significantly bolstering security measures during a time when the UN General Assembly is convening and world leaders are present in the city.
The Secret Service continues to investigate the origins and full extent of the network, which utilized encrypted communication and anonymizing technology to avoid detection. Authorities urge businesses and individuals to maintain vigilance but emphasize that immediate dangers have been neutralized.
This operation highlights the emerging risks posed by sophisticated telecommunications threats capable of large-scale disruption, reflecting a growing demand for enhanced cybersecurity measures protecting critical infrastructure in major metropolitan areas.