Secret Service Disrupts Telecom Threat Near UN General Assembly

The United States Secret Service disrupted a large-scale network of telecommunications equipment near the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, a development officials described as capable of shutting down cellular networks across the city and potentially nationwide. The agency said it found more than 300 SIM servers and 100,000 SIM cards that could have been used to attack telecommunications within the area spanning parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, including locations within 35 miles (56 kilometers) of the assembly site.

Officials described the network as well organized and well funded, involving communications between unidentified nation-state actors and organized crime groups. The devices had the power to disable cell phone towers and effectively halt the cellular network in New York City, according to the Secret Service, which said investigators were examining the equipment as part of a broader inquiry into anonymous threats directed at U.S. government officials this spring. The seizure was tied to a multi-site operation that included SIM farms located in abandoned apartment buildings across more than five sites, though the precise locations were not disclosed by authorities.

The devices could have text-mes­saged the entire U.S. population within about 12 minutes and could also have launched distributed denial-of-service attacks that might have blocked emergency services communications. The authorities described the threat as one that could have profoundly disrupted public safety and national security communications, especially during a period when dozens of world leaders are gathered in Midtown Manhattan for a major international summit.

The investigation into the threats to U.S. government officials began earlier this spring and culminated in the discovery of the SIM-based network last month. Officials familiar with the case cited the timeline to multiple outlets, noting that the threat originated from a loosely connected ecosystem that linked state actors to nonstate actors and illicit groups. Investigators have not publicly named any suspects, and officials said the inquiry is ongoing as they analyze how the network operated, who financed it, and how the devices were deployed.

Beyond the technical risk, the revelation underscored the security challenges facing major international gatherings. More than 100 world leaders and delegations have assembled in Midtown Manhattan for the 80th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly, a week that typically involves extensive security coordination among federal, state and local agencies. U.S. authorities say robust protective measures are in place to safeguard officials, dignitaries and the public amid a global diplomatic calendar.

In addition to the telecom risk, authorities disclosed related material found during the broader probe into the anonymous spring threats, including several items described by unnamed officials as evidence of criminal activity, such as drugs, firearms, and electronic devices. The officials did not provide a full accounting of the seized items, and the investigation continues to unfold as investigators scrutinize connections between the threats and the SIM network operation. Local and federal partners have said they are pursuing all lines of inquiry to determine whether the threats were two or more efforts that converged around the UN gathering.

Officials stressed that the network's proximity to the UN General Assembly area and its scale represented a unique security concern given the concentration of international leaders and media. They emphasized that the findings do not indicate the immediate success of any attack and that there is no evidence of an active operation at the moment. Nevertheless, authorities reiterated their commitment to a comprehensive review of critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and to implementing measures that reduce risks to communications networks during large-scale political events.

As investigators continue to examine the seized equipment and assess potential impacts, U.S. authorities urged the public to remain vigilant for any suspicious activity and to follow guidance from official security channels during the ongoing sessions at the United Nations. The inquiry remains active, and officials indicated that additional details would be provided as they become available through official briefings and investigative milestones.