The United States Secret Service has dismantled a vast network of more than 300 SIM servers in New York, which had the capability to disable cell towers and disrupt emergency services.
According to the agency’s statement, the devices included 100,000 SIM cards distributed across various locations and were placed within a 56-kilometer radius of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The investigation began following a series of telecommunication threats targeting government officials, including incidents involving airstrike threats and bomb threats.
“Given the timing, location, and potential for significant disruption to telecommunications in New York caused by these devices, the agency acted swiftly to shut down the network,” the Secret Service said in its statement.
The agency revealed that through these servers, it was possible to make anonymous phone threats and disable cell towers.
“They had the potential to shut down the cellular network in New York City,” said Matt McCool, a special agent with the Secret Service in New York.
He added that the hidden electronic labyrinth was so powerful it could have sent an encrypted, anonymous message to every citizen in the United States within 12 minutes.
However, authorities have not disclosed details about the individuals or group responsible for creating this network.
