SIMmetry: The Secret Service Raid Unveiling a Massive SIM Card Network Overview A recent Secret Service operation uncovered a massive "SIM farm" in the New York City area, exposing an extensive network of SIM cards and the unusual hardware used to manage them—a device known as a SIM bank. This discovery sheds light on the mechanics behind rampant scam calls and telecom fraud. The Mysterious Hardware: SIM Banks Appearance: The SIM bank devices resemble a board game "Guess Who," but with hundreds of tiny SIM cards and multiple antennas. These niche, complex machines hold large quantities of SIM cards simultaneously. Purpose: They serve as gateways to cellular networks, commonly used in VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) systems to handle mass texting and calling. Cost: These devices can cost thousands of dollars individually; for example, a 256 SIM card unit from Chinese manufacturer Ejoin Technology lists at about $3,730. Functionality: They allow seamless switching between SIM cards to spoof numbers, facilitating mass marketing, spam, and harassment campaigns. The Network and Its Implications The Secret Service raid revealed racks of these devices, each requiring manual insertion of hundreds of SIM cards. These SIM cards, costing roughly $5–$10 each, collectively represent a significant investment in hardware and operational labor. The network's discovery near New York City suggests potential vulnerabilities in U.S. telecom infrastructure and hints at increasing use of such technology. Similar raids have happened globally, including Interpol's crackdown on SIM bank fraud in South Africa involving over 1,000 SIM cards and arrests in India. Legitimate vs. Illegitimate Uses Legitimate: Testing and quality assurance across mobile networks (e.g., verifying app performance on different carriers). Use by VoIP companies for business purposes. Illegitimate: Spam, scam calls, and harassment. Fraud schemes rerouting international calls as local traffic to avoid charges. Manufacturer and Market Notes Ejoin Technology is a leading supplier of these devices, marketed for "SMS and voice gateway solutions." Other manufacturers include Etross Telecom, OpenVox, and China Skyline Telecom. Purchasing through platforms like Alibaba can involve opaque processes due to regulatory restrictions. Future Considerations The rise of eSIMs (embedded SIMs) may eventually make these physical SIM bank devices obsolete. The large-scale use of SIM banks for illicit activities highlights ongoing telecom threats and the need for vigilance. --- Related Notes & Additional Content Tribute: Passing of Billy Hudson of the popular YouTube channel The Game Chasers, noted for his warnings against crowdfunding scams. Found Media Highlight: Elliott Smith’s early performance on the FX network show Breakfast Time offers a unique glimpse into the artist’s career. Surprising Tech: Haribo, known as gummy candy makers, also produces popular power banks favored by backpackers. --- About the Author Ernie Smith Editor of Tedium, known for internet commentary and covering obscure topics. Website | Mastodon | Bluesky | Threads --- For more intriguing and offbeat stories, subscribe to Tedium.