Secret Service Dismantles SIM Farm Threat to NYC Cell Service During UN Assembly

SIM Farm Operation Disrupted

• 🎯 The U.S. Secret Service has dismantled a significant threat to national cell service, known as a SIM farm, operating near New York City.
• 💡 This operation was concentrated within 35 miles of the United Nations General Assembly, where world leaders were convening.

Capabilities of the SIM Farm

• ⚡ The dismantled system was capable of sending out 30 million text messages per minute, enough to message the entire U.S. in just 12 minutes.
• ⚠️ Officials stated this system could have blocked cell phone towers and prevented emergency calls (including 911 and EMS) from going through.

Investigation and Seizures

• 🔍 Agents seized over 300 servers and more than 100,000 SIM cards from five sites.
• 💰 Investigators also found firearms, multiple computers, and several grams of cocaine during the operation.

Threat Actors and Modus Operandi

• 🌐 The investigation revealed a network used for anonymous and encrypted communications, potentially by nation-state actors, foreign governments, and criminal organizations.
• 🤝 Evidence suggests foreign governments were communicating with criminals, including organized crime, cartels, and terrorist groups, using this network.

Ongoing Concerns

• ⚠️ While this specific threat has been neutralized, authorities believe other SIM farm cells may still be operating throughout the United States.
• 🕵️ The Secret Service has not announced any arrests but indicated early investigation points to cellular communication between foreign entities and known criminals.