WASHINGTON D.C. (KBTX) – Texas was one of several states targeted in a nationwide ICE Homeland Security Investigations crackdown on illegal “SIM farm” operations.
Authorities say the ‘SIM farms’ are used to flood phones with phishing and scam texts while disguising where the messages come from.
“SIM farms” are collections of devices — called SIM boxes — that can hold hundreds or thousands of SIM cards, allowing criminals to route communications over the internet and disguise their origin, ICE said. The agency cited Federal Trade Commission estimates that these operations cost Americans about $15 million each year.
source:(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
Operation Signal Break, ran June 22nd through July 10th and included deployments to Texas along with California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey.
Since 2024, HSI says it has executed more than 116 federal search warrants, seizing more than 500,000 SIM cards, over 1,900 SIM boxes and more than $700,000 in alleged illegal proceeds. HSI also reported one criminal arrest, 11 administrative arrests, and the disruption of 68 SIM farms in 15 states.
source:(U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
HSI said analysts will examine seized SIM data and network evidence to identify victims, measure losses and trace money allegedly linked to Chinese transnational criminal organizations, supporting potential future indictments, asset seizures and sanctions.
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