The young American engineer in question is named Max Peterson, played by Shane West. He receives a new smartphone that starts sending him mysterious text messages with insider information about stock market trades. Max soon realizes that the phone is linked to a powerful global surveillance system known as Echelon, which is capable of predicting future events.
As Max uses the information to become incredibly wealthy, he attracts the attention of both the FBI and a group of dangerous security operatives. One of these operatives, played by Martin Sheen, is determined to take Max down at any cost. Max also meets and falls for a woman named Kamila, played by Tamara Feldman, who may have her own agenda in pursuing him.
As Max flees across the world to evade these deadly opponents, he discovers that the Echelon system is being used by a government official named Mueller, played by Ed Burns, to orchestrate a massive terrorist attack. Max must use his tech skills to foil the attack and stop Mueller's nefarious plans.
Echelon Conspiracy was released in 2009 and directed by Greg Marcks. It features an ensemble cast including Ving Rhames, Jonathan Pryce, and Yuri Kolokolnikov. The film received mixed reviews from critics but was praised for its tense action sequences and high-stakes plot.