Devices seized near U.N. meeting could have shut down cellphone networks

"The agency tasked with protecting the president and vice president did not share evidence of a specific plot or threat against world leaders during the annual gathering. However, the U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran said that the "potential" for damage was significant, ranging from disabling regional cellphone towers to facilitating communications between criminals and foreign adversaries. The network could also likely be used for espionage."

"Secret Service agents are working alongside the New York Police Department and other law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations to conduct forensic analysis on the devices. Matt McCool, the special agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Service Washington field office, said forensic investigation has already revealed the involvement of at least one foreign nation, as well as several bad actors already known to law enforcement."

"McCool said the investigation is ongoing and that the agency made the decision to share information about the threat with the public in the early stages "to safeguard critical infrastructure." The investigation comes at a time when U.S. national security officials and private sector experts are tracking ongoing breaches of telecommunications companies, aiming to steal private communications of senior U.S. government officials including President Trump. The group responsible, often referred to as Salt Typhoon, has been linked to the Chinese government. The campaign was first disclosed last year."

Secret Service agents uncovered a large network of electronic devices in the New York tristate area capable of disrupting cellphone networks and enabling espionage or criminal communications. Investigators seized over 300 SIM servers, roughly 100,000 SIM cards, and other illicit materials across multiple sites. Agents from the Secret Service, NYPD, and Homeland Security Investigations are conducting forensic analysis on the devices. Forensic work has already indicated involvement by at least one foreign nation and several known bad actors. The agency shared information publicly early to safeguard critical infrastructure amid ongoing telecommunications breaches linked to the group Salt Typhoon.

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