Secret Service Dismantles Hidden Telecom Network Ahead of UN General Assembly

Wed Oct 22 2025 02:16:03 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A clandestine telecom network was uncovered by the U.S. Secret Service, capable of crippling communication systems during a vulnerable time in New York City, highlighting new risks faced by urban centers.

As world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, the U.S. Secret Service has uncovered a massive, hidden telecom network that could have caused significant disruption to cellular communications. With over 100,000 SIM cards and extensive capabilities for sending mass messages, the network posed a serious threat to emergency responses and public safety. Investigators reveal that it may have been linked to foreign actors potentially communicating with criminal organizations. The operation underscores the challenges of securing the communication infrastructure of major urban areas.

NEW YORK (AP) — As nearly 150 world leaders prepare for the UN General Assembly, the U.S. Secret Service has dismantled a massive hidden telecom network located within 35 miles of the U.N. This system posed a grave risk of disrupting cellular communication during a time of heightened vulnerability for the city, potentially impacting emergency responses and public safety.

The network consisted of over 300 SIM servers equipped with more than 100,000 active SIM cards. Investigators warn that this communications setup could have overwhelmed local networks and obstructed vital emergency lines like 911.

Matthew McCool, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service’s New York field office, emphasized the network's threat level, stating, This system is capable of taking down cell towers, resulting in a communication blackout during critical times, especially surrounding events like the General Assembly. Although officials have found no direct threat related to the assembly, the network was still a significant concern.

Part of a broader investigation into telecommunications threats against government officials, the operation demonstrates a growing risk to urban centers, where even the invisible infrastructure can become a target. Experts believe that such well-funded enterprises could facilitate communication among organized crime groups.

Forensic investigations have just begun, and authorities anticipate a lengthy process to analyze the extensive data findings. The extensive capabilities of the network — potentially sending up to 30 million text messages a minute — reinforce the importance of adopting robust security measures for urban communication systems.

“We need to do forensics on 100,000 cell phones, essentially all the phone calls, all the text messages, anything to do with communications," noted McCool.

This discovery brings to light the necessity for vigilance in protecting telecommunications that support public life and safety in large cities. The potential for similar networks to exist in other urban centers remains a serious concern for federal authorities.