Prepaid Cell Phone Purchases Have Authorities on Heightened Alert
EmailThe weekend arrest of three men of Palestinian descent is just the most recent in a string of possible terror-related activity revolving around the questionable purchases of untraceable prepaid cell phones. Arrests in Ohio, West Virginia and Texas — and the most recent in Michigan — have Homeland Security, the FBI and local law enforcement on heightened alert. Though buying disposable prepaid cell phones is not illegal, federal authorities have been working closely with local law enforcement to monitor this new trend in potential terror-related activity. "The application of prepaid phones for nefarious reasons is really widespread," Roger Entner, VP of Wireless Telecoms for Ovum, told ABC News in January. "Now in Europe it’s impossible to get a prepaid phone without ID." (The Madrid bombings in 2004 precipitated this law when cell phones using their electrical pulse detonated backpack bombs that killed 191 people.) In an era of heightened awareness and security, this chain of arrests in the Midwest involving men of Middle Eastern descent is being closely examined. Grafton, W.Va.: Two weeks ago a 24-year old Arabic man, Hashem Sayed, was arrested with nearly 200 cell phones, according to local police. Sayed is currently being investigated for suspected terrorism-related activity and is allegedly connected to two other men arrested in Marietta, Ohio. Marietta, Ohio: Last week, two Michigan men of Lebanese descent were charged with money laundering and aiding of terrorism. The suspects, 20-year old Osma Sabhi Abulhassan and 20-year old Ali Houssaiky are residents of Dearborn, Mich., which is over 300 miles away. Abulhassan and Houssaiky were pulled over after purchasing 12 disposable cell phones from a local Radio Shack with $11,000 cash found in the glove box. Also found were Mapquest directions for 75 to 100 other Wal-Marts, Radio Shacks and other retailers in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina. Further, authorities found a "device to demagnetize" cell phones off of retailer’s shelves to assist in buying larger quantities and a step-by-step instruction booklet on how to access airline manifests — one in particular was Royal Jordanian Airlines. "We have a number of red flags that have popped up, and we are continuing our investigation," explained Sheriff Larry Mincks of Marietta, Ohio after recent surveillance and arrests of men of Middle Eastern descent. "The two people we have in custody indicated to us that they have been to our area four times and have purchased between 600 and 1000 [prepaid cellular] phones." Continuing on nearly a seven-week investigation, Sheriff Mincks believes the duo caught in Marietta was one of six separate "teams," making purchases in the area, which is why investigators believe that these purchases all across the Midwest are more than just coincidence. Caro, Mich.: On Friday, local police were alerted to three men of Palestinian descent who bought 80 cell phones from a local Wal-Mart. Brothers Adham Othman, 21, Louai Othman, 23, and their cousin Maruan Muhareb (all pictured above) were reported by Wal-Mart employees and were detained with over 1000 disposable cell phones along with receipts from Wisconsin. Charged over the weekend with providing material support for terrorist acts and terrorism surveillance of a vulnerable target, the three men were also found with suspicious pictures and video of the famous five-mile long Mackinac Bridge that connects Michigan mainland to its upper peninsula, reported by the Detroit Free Press Monday morning. The three men are Dallas, Texas residents. Sheriff Mincks expressed the potentially worst case scenario used for these specific types of phones. "We all know cell phones have been used for the IEDs," making reference to Improvised Explosive Devices and roadside bombs commonly used in Iraq against Coalition Forces. Further, these prepaid phones "are good for people who like to keep their identity secret." In all three of these potentially terror-related cases, the men maintained their innocence and were only buying the phones to be sold at marked up prices. In the Marietta case, Abulhassan and Houssaiky admitted to authorities that they planned on selling the phones overseas, which is not illegal. But the combination of the sheer number of phones purchased, the suspected number of "teams" and networks used for the buys and the troubling evidence of the photos and video of the Mackinac Bridge and suspicious flight manifests have many suspecting more than just coincidence. "We believe that we have sufficient evidence for prosecutions," Sheriff Mincks told ABC News. "And we are proceeding in that direction." ABC News reported this past January about the purchases of untraceable prepaid cell phones in Texas and California. Along with these recent arrests in the Midwest, these incidents in the South and West may have increased in significance.
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This is a subject we need to keep a close eye on! As well as the author of the blog, Mr.Eslocker. He seems to be a true investigate hound dog. Good find for the Ross Unit for sure.
Posted by: Clay | August 14, 2006, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm
Probably one of the best written article on the web today. Kudos to ABC for hiring such fine young tallent.
Posted by: Uncle G | August 14, 2006, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm
if the cell phones were really going to be used for nefarious purposes, these people would not be buying thousands and thousands of them. they would buy only the few phones that they needed for their plot, and would be undetectable.
someone’s imagination is running wild.
Posted by: meh | August 14, 2006, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
1000 cell phones. That’s at least $40,000 dollars worth. These little scumbags have no way of getting that kind of money legitimately.
We’ve got to require ID for these purchases, as well as ID for every resupply of minutes (or they will just buy old phones from losers on the street).
1000 phones could equal 1000 remotely detonated bombs, say in schools or crowed malls, etc.
Posted by: Doc | August 14, 2006, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm
Lets arrest everyone buying lighter fluid and now according to the DHS… water and gatorade. We keep looking for every excuse to demonize persons of Arabic descent and to make people acquiese to all our security paranoias.
Posted by: Mik | August 14, 2006, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm
I found this article fascinating and extremely well written.
Posted by: David | August 14, 2006, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm
I wish there were more articles as interesting as this one! This writer is predicting an issue that will surely be a much bigger story after it is too late. Mr. Eslocker should be promoted for his ability to sniff out a story before everyone else. And he’s got a great look for television as well!
Posted by: David | August 14, 2006, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
I live in Madrid and just recently bought a prepaid cell phone and no ids are required, as the article states.
You can pretty much go into any store and buy a phone with cash here.
Posted by: CM | August 14, 2006, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm
This borders on ridiculous!
Posted by: USA | August 14, 2006, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm
As I understand it they were buying Tracphones for $20 and selling them for $38. That does not make any sense to me at all. If there was a big market for these phones wouldn’t whoever is buying them purchase from a wholeseller instead? If I could double my money that easily I would be cleaning Wal-Mart out of phones.
Posted by: Jeff | August 14, 2006, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
Hi I am law abiding resident of US with origin in Pakistan. I just want to make a correction that the people arrested in Michigan are not of Pakistani orgin. You can confirm with your sister organisation in Channel-7 in Detroit. Also your Headline news says Pakistani where as content says Mideastern.
Thanks and regards
Thanks
Pervaiz Khan
Posted by: pervaiz khan | August 14, 2006, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
I think it is time to close the borders to all illegals until we get a handle on what is going on. It is time for us to treat illegals as we are treated in their countries when under suspicion. Why do we have to be so respectful all the time. It is highly unusual and unexplainable as to why these people need these cell phones. It has trouble written all over it. Lets crack down as a nation!
Posted by: Bertha | August 14, 2006, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
Did anyone think maybe they were taking pictures of something famous, because it’s famous?
AND…
There’s a flea market in Dallas (Grand Prairie to be precise) that’s open all year round where people sell these cell phones at marked up prices to hispanics that have immigrated here that don’t have documentation. We all know this happens in Dallas, that’s why we’re all so mad about immigration. Let these poor men come home, they’re just trying to earn a living.
Posted by: Sabrina | August 14, 2006, 3:44 pm 3:44 pm
Racial profiling might not be a bad resolve after all!
Posted by: Guy | August 14, 2006, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm
Well, here they are in our own country.How can we not be suspicious of people who are Muslims?They can be anywhere near us!
I live in Ohio and it is truly frightening to know that these terrorists can be close by.I am sorry but I will be suspicious of every Muslim I meet in the street-I do not care if it is unfair and prejudiced!I want our citizens and country to be safe.
Posted by: Lisa | August 14, 2006, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
what a facinating and well written article
congratulations on hiring such a educated young journalist
Posted by: martie | August 14, 2006, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
For God’s sake those poor men are just trying to make a living. I have yet to see anything illegal in what they were doing. If it was me I’d make sure I’d sue for discrimination cause they absolutely have nothing on those guys from what I can see.
Posted by: someone with brains | August 14, 2006, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm
Lisa, you cut off your nose to spite your face. What’s the point of being suspicious of Muslims? I live in Virginia, one of the few places in the US that has been attacked by terrorists, and I am certainly not suspicious of “all Muslims.” If you take a look at the security videos from 9/11, the terrorists did not look much different than anyone else, they were just Arabic. Did you not learn the lessons from the 1950s, that fruitless witch-hunts simply waste time and money, stress security personel, and wrongfully slander people’s names. In the States we are lucky that the Muslim clerics have taken a hard stance against radicalized terrorists; in the UK, where I am currently vacationing, many Muslim leaders are in denial that there are any Muslim terrorists.
Posted by: Andrew E | August 14, 2006, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm
Meh….duh?? When you have numerous “teams” of middle easterners out buying thousands fo cell phones it’s pretty easy to connect the dots. When these guys finally decide to hit the U.S., it’s not going to be a couple of bombs here and there..you can bet it will be big…and furthermore…why would three guys from Dallas have to go all the way to Michigan to buy cell phone. There are plenty of Walmarts in the lone star state. I find it incredible that anyone would think all of these purchases are on the up and up…c’mon
Posted by: Dee | August 14, 2006, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
Get real Andrew…
Posted by: dee | August 14, 2006, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm
1000 phone-bombs? How the heck would you blow anything up with that? By the time you dialed the 80th or 90th number,how would you remember them all? How long does it take to dial 1000 numbers???
I think this was some semi-shady scheme, and I think a good inestigative report would have found some real reason why someone could make a killing selling these phones. Are they triband GSM (for $20, I doubt it!). Otherwise, they aren’t for sale overseas. Are they for export (OK), illegal immigrants (not so bad) or for drug dealers (worse!)?
So, someone trying to make a shady buck instead gets an extended vacation at Club Gitmo due to the colour of their skin…
Posted by: Maurice E | August 14, 2006, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm
We as Americans cannot loose prospective of who we are as a country. Who among us is not from another land? Closing our borders is plain paranoia. That said, let’s be clear on another point. While not all Muslims are terrorists, most terrorists are Muslim. Yes, you can find examples of non-Muslim terrorists. They represent an insignificant percentage. I will begin trusting Muslims when the mass of them aggressively express their outrage over those who resort to terrorism in the name of Islam. This has not happened. Their silence expresses their solidarity with those who commit acts of terrorism.
Posted by: An American | August 14, 2006, 9:16 pm 9:16 pm
“what a facinating and well written article congratulations on hiring such a educated young journalist”
Do you mean “an” educated young journalist? If so, explain this closing sentence:
“Along with these recent arrests in the Midwest, these incidents in the South and West may have increased in significance.”
These uses of the word “these” make these comments confusing. Although he/she (is Asa male or female?) demonstrates a firm grasp on geography. However, an argument can be made that both Michigan and Texas are part of the Midwest, with the former being the southern Midwest and the latter representing the northern Midwest.
I’d like to know if prepaid cell phones send text messages. Also, does the government emphasize monitoring prepaid cell phone numbers relative to other cell phone services?
Posted by: Boyd Bird | August 14, 2006, 11:28 pm 11:28 pm
This is a very interesting article. Could be related to terrorist activities, maybe not. Definitely suspicious and worth investigating. As to the various comments left by the readers, I’m fascinated. Especially the one courageously signed by “An American”.
Myself, I will begin trusting Americans when the mass of them aggressively express their outrage over those who resort to war in the name of God. Funny how a barely 200 year old country wants to impose its unilateral views to countries with thousands and thousands years of history. How can the US say that Iran cannot have nuclear bomb, while Israel can? As far as I remember from history books at school, this is the single country who ever nuked, not once but twice, civilians, not even soldiers.
I’m a French citizen, so that possibly makes me an enemy of the USA, since my country was against the 2nd war in Irak. Never mind, I can live with it. It’s easy, I do like the Americans, I don’t give a damn about what everyone else thinks.
Posted by: Renaud | August 15, 2006, 9:15 am 9:15 am
Keep us posted. I live in southeast Ohio and appreciate the excellent reporting. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: kathy | August 15, 2006, 9:24 am 9:24 am
Hope it does’nt get to the point of ” Kill or be Killed” I beleive it is up to our mainstream islamic society to speak out against these terrorists instead of just lamenting that they are being picked on and that there is no proof that islamics are carrying on a so called religious jiihad.
Posted by: a canadian | August 15, 2006, 10:53 am 10:53 am
Hmm, IDs can be faked. Are stores going to reguire DHS type ID training? Turning the phone off defeats tracking as the towers are what hand you off from tower to tower. Really, I would like to know, other than facial recognition software or having your picture taken tying you the ID of a phone, how can they track these?
Large purchases being scrutinized is a start but operatives are smarter. They will just limit purchases and buy along the daisy chain of stores by as many supporters as possible.
Answer 1, a credit card purchase only. Traceable.
Answer 2, Echelon. Listen in. That is the only option.
Posted by: Napolean | August 15, 2006, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
This is ridiculous, I know someone who works for a cellular company, and they purchase phones in bulk, and by bulk i mean several thousand at a time. So will every store be scrutinized as well. Also, this article did not state that the FBI notified chain stores if you make a purchase of more than 3 prepaid cells, the authorities must be called. So if your family needs to change companies or plans you (US) citizen can also be arrested. Next, none of the young men in this article were illegal, that’s an unfair statement. The arabic/muslim population in michigan is very nice. i live in a predominantly muslim suburb, and as a black person i have been treated kindly, graciously and with respect.
Posted by: tamara | August 16, 2006, 10:53 pm 10:53 pm
If they were innocently trying to buy phones to take back to Dallas, why did they have to drive 30 miles NORTH of Detroit to but them. Are they out of phones in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Kansas City, Saint Louis, Chicago?
Posted by: Dave in Dallas | August 20, 2006, 12:54 am 12:54 am
If they were legit they would buy that kind of bulk from a distributer at a fraction of the cost they paid. The whole Idea is to pay cash so they cant be traced to them.Lucky for them america has the ACLU that thinks terrorists have rights too!! I cant beleave our Police would be that stupid to think these are just average Middle eastern kids with a get rich quick Thing going. If thats the case this country is doomed.
Posted by: ftec | August 21, 2006, 11:00 pm 11:00 pm
Terrorism? maybe. Profit making? Definitely. Off the grid? of course! No wages, no credit cards, no checks, just cash in hand. Phones change hands for a few dollars profit each until they are shipped out of the country. Check the CDMA/GSM guide for countries that use the frequencies. Find a foreign country that sells the phone at a higher rate. Smuggle them to avoid taxes and fees. Sell for a nice profit. It subverts the system of marketing and pisses off Tracphone. Could terrorist do this to make money? of course, and so could the teenager next door. Some people like making money, off the grid. Should you at least be suspicious? Definitely.
Posted by: Alibaba | January 11, 2007, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm
Its the suspicious acts that have been ongoing that have led me to seek answers…
I work for a southern ca Wal-Mart and have been dealing with this for almost a yr now. We have tried to do things, as limit only 2 phones per person, and so they started with teams of people 3 or 4 at a time hitting walmarts after walmarts im sure not just walmarts also.
Always paying with cash, at times having huge stacks of 100 dollar bills in they’re hands. RED FLAG…Always buying the same phones too.. T mobile for 29 dollars Tracfone for 19 dollars and the new one is Movida for 49 dollars.
We have tried to do what we could we are currently having all people who buy 2 phones must have them activated and distributed a phone number. And most the time they say nevermind and dont walk away with the phones. Sometimes we do have some people that have a problem with that… But im sorry I want this to stop and be taken seriously… Because I don’t want to have a something like a terrorist attack to occur that could have been avoided had we seen the RED FLAGS cause they ARE there people…(FLAGS)
Posted by: Andy | May 7, 2007, 5:00 am 5:00 am
Yesterday while sitting on a bench outside of walmart in carrollton TX, My daughter and I noticed a middle eastern couple walking out with a bag in each hand. My daughter who works for Target said, “I bet they baught cell phones” When I asked her what the big deal was she explained that the FBI had launched an investigation and from now on only two prepaid cell phones per person was allowed. Well as they passed us we could clearly see that they had indeed purchased two cell phones each and I was even more amazed to see that their trunk was LOADED with cell phones. ! Why dont we see african americans or caucasion people purchasing large quanities of phones. Why would these phones be used for resale? I mean really, why pay more at a mom and pop shop for a phone when they can just go themselves to walmart down the street and pay less? hmmmmmm. Something is not right here. I called the office of homeland security.
Posted by: shawna | June 12, 2007, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
uguys are just lookin for a reason to call someone a terrorists. These guys are just makin a living like every1 else / if they were tryin to make bombs dont u think they would use something more than cell phones. u guys are pathetic and need to get a life.
Posted by: kathy | July 12, 2007, 10:59 pm 10:59 pm
Am I going to get carded and asked for ID when I want to use a public bathroom next?
Posted by: Matt | September 16, 2008, 2:39 am 2:39 am
Those guys should sue the state for harassment. They did nothing illegal. Which federal statute says you can’t drive 1000 miles to buy 1000 cell phones?
Posted by: Matt | April 13, 2010, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm