FBI probing bulk prepaid phone purchases for terrorist, black market ties

By Jeff Silva
WASHINGTON-The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have advised state and local law enforcement officials to be alert for large purchases of prepaid cell phones, an FBI spokesman said.

The advisory follows an investigation of recent incidents in Texas, California and possibly other states in which individuals bought or tried to buy large quantities of prepaid cell phones.

An FBI-DHS bulletin went out yesterday to law enforcement officers across the country, an FBI spokesman said. The spokesman, who declined to release the bulletin, said the FBI probe found no clear terrorist ties to the purchases. However, he said FBI agents continue to run down leads of possible terrorist links in connection with bigger-than-normal purchases of prepaid cell phones.

Prepaid cell phones are commonly used in terrorist circles and organized crime.

CNN first reported on the FBI's prepaid cell phone bulletin late yesterday afternoonfor more of the story from RCR Wireless News