The US Secret Service thwarted a network of electronic devices spread throughout New York City and the wider tri-state area that had the ability to conduct telecommunications-related threats towards US and foreign officials at the UN General Assembly, the agency said on Tuesday.
Approximately 100,000 SIM cards and more than 300 co-located SIM servers were discovered in the Secret Service investigation.
The network of devices, which was all located within a 35-mile radius of the event, was said to be capable of shutting down foreign leaders' cellular networks at the UNGA.
"This network had the potential to disable cell phone towers and shut down the cellular network in New York City," said Special Agent Matt McCool, an official at the agency's Washington Field Office.
Secret Service reveals plot to disrupt UN communications
The Secret Service is working on identifying those responsible for the electronic devices network, and whether their intention was to disrupt the UNGA meeting when foreign officials were present, McCool added.
"Forensic examinations of the equivalent of 100,000 cell phones' worth of data are underway," he added. "Early analysis indicates cellular communications between foreign actors and individuals that are known to federal law enforcement."
"The potential for disruption to our country’s telecommunications posed by this network of devices cannot be overstated," said Secret Service Director Sean Curran. "This investigation makes it clear to potential bad actors that imminent threats to our protectees will be immediately investigated, tracked down, and dismantled.”