Disposable Cell Phone Purchases Under FBI Scrutiny - ABC

NEW YORK -(Dow Jones)- One recent large-scale purchase of disposable cell phones in California and an attempted purchase in Texas have caught the FBI's attention, ABC News reported on its Web site Friday.

These types of phones - which can be bought without a credit card or identification - have been used in terrorist attacks, such as the Madrid train bombing in 2004.

The latest incident occurred on New Year's Eve at a Target in Hemet, Calif., 150 disposable TracFones were purchased. Store employees notified police, who contacted the FBI, according to ABC News.

TracFones are made by TracFone Wireless, a unit of Mexican telecommunications company America Movil. Although law enforcement agencies acknowledge there could be legitimate reasons for large-scale purchases of disposable cell phones, reports of similar occurrences in other cities across the U.S. identified individuals of Middle-Eastern descent as the buyers, ABC News said.

On Dec. 18, six people tried to buy about 60 of the phones at a Wal-Mart store in Midland, Texas, but the clerks became suspicious and called the police. They were arrested and later found to be linked to suspected terror cells.

According to the Midland police report obtained by ABC News: "Information obtained by MPD (Midland Police Department) dispatch personnel indicated that approximately six individuals of Middle-Eastern origin were attempting to purchase an unusually large quantity of TracFones."

Officials said at least one of the suspects was identified as being from Iraq and another from Pakistan, ABC News reported.

The Midland police arrest report also said the individuals were linked to a terror cell. "Evasive responses provided by the subjects, coupled with actions observed by officers at the onset of the contact prompted the notification of local FBI officials to assist in the investigation," the report said. "Upon the arrival of special agents, and as a result of subsequent interviews, it was discovered that members of the group were linked to suspected terrorist cells stationed within the Metroplex."

Law enforcement officials haven't elaborated on the report or say which terrorist group the suspects were allegedly linked to, according to ABC News.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 14th January 2006