Secret Service Foils Major Telecom Threat During UN General Assembly

Tue Oct 14 2025 14:45:25 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The U.S. Secret Service has disrupted a telecommunications network capable of launching significant disruptions to cellular services in New York City during the UN General Assembly, uncovering over 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards linked to a potential threat.

In a significant security intervention, the U.S. Secret Service dismantled a telecommunications network that could have severely disrupted cellular communications during the UN General Assembly in New York City. With over 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards seized, officials revealed the capability to send 30 million texts in minutes and potentially block emergency services. This threat was linked to nation-state actors and known criminal organizations, highlighting the rising risks posed by cyber threats amid international gatherings.

The US Secret Service disrupted a network of telecommunications devices that could have shut down cellular systems as leaders gather for the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

The agency said on Tuesday that last month it found more than 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards that could have been used for telecom attacks within the area encompassing parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

This network had the power to disable cell phone towers and essentially shut down the cellular network in New York City, said special agent in charge Matt McCool.

The devices were discovered within 35 miles (56km) of the UN, where leaders are meeting this week.

McCool stated that the well-organised and well-funded operation involved nation-state threat actors and individuals that are known to federal law enforcement. The unidentified nation-state actors were reportedly sending encrypted messages to organized crime groups, cartels, and terrorist organizations.

The equipment could text the entire population of the US within 12 minutes and had the potential to disable mobile phone towers while launching distributed denial-of-service attacks that might impede emergency communications.

The Secret Service seized the devices from SIM farms located in abandoned apartment buildings across more than five sites, though specific locations were not disclosed.

This discovery followed an investigation into anonymous telephonic threats aimed at three US government officials this spring, including two working at the White House, according to unnamed sources.

During the investigation, authorities also uncovered 80 grams of cocaine, illegal firearms, computers, and phones. This security breach unfolded as over 100 world leaders and delegations gathered in Midtown Manhattan for the 80th anniversary of the UN General Assembly.