Washington, D.C. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigators conducted a nationwide operation targeting illegal “SIM farms” allegedly used by transnational criminal organizations to facilitate fraudulent calls, phishing messages and other telecommunications schemes.
Operation Signal Break ran from June 22 through July 10 and targeted command-and-control infrastructure in California, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey, according to ICE Homeland Security Investigations.
The operation was led by the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Crimes Center with significant assistance from HSI Los Angeles. More than 11 HSI field offices participated, deploying teams of special agents, criminal analysts and computer-forensics specialists to areas identified as high risk.
SIM farms consist of devices known as SIM boxes that can hold hundreds or thousands of cellphone SIM cards. The equipment allows operators to route large volumes of calls and text messages through internet connections while obscuring where the communications originated.
Criminal organizations can use the systems to distribute scam calls, phishing messages and other fraudulent communications on a large scale. ICE cited a Federal Trade Commission estimate that such operations cost Americans approximately $15 million annually.
Operation Signal Break is part of a broader HSI initiative against illegal SIM box networks. Since 2024, the agency said it has executed more than 116 federal criminal search warrants and seized over 500,000 SIM cards, more than 1,900 SIM boxes and approximately $700,000 in suspected illicit proceeds.
Those investigations have resulted in one criminal arrest and 11 administrative arrests, according to HSI. The agency also reported disrupting 68 SIM farms operating across 15 states.
ICE did not specify how many seizures, arrests or disruptions occurred during Operation Signal Break itself, as opposed to the broader enforcement effort dating to 2024.
HSI said some operations were coordinated across several regions to prevent criminal organizations from relocating or reconfiguring their equipment after law-enforcement actions.
“I commend our special agents for their outstanding dedication and teamwork in dismantling illicit telecommunications infrastructure,” HSI acting Executive Associate Director John Condon said in the agency’s announcement.
Investigators in Los Angeles will analyze data recovered from seized SIM cards and network equipment to identify potential victims, calculate fraud losses and trace suspected illicit proceeds. HSI said the investigation is examining links to Chinese transnational criminal organizations and associated distribution networks.
The findings could support additional indictments, asset seizures and sanctions targeting infrastructure in the United States and overseas, according to the agency.
Participating offices included HSI Los Angeles, Miami, Tampa, New England and Houston. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California also assisted the operation.
HSI encouraged people to report suspicious telecommunications activity through the ICE Tip Line at 866-347-2423 or the agency’s online tip form.
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