Encrypted ‘Ghost’ platform dismantled in blow to organised crime | World News

An encrypted communications platform called Ghost, allegedly used for drug trafficking, money laundering and murder, has been dismantled.

The international operation led to the arrest of 51 people, including 38 in Australia11 inch Irelandone in Canada and one in Italy According to Europol, they belong to the mafia group Sacra Corona Unita.

Australian police say they have prevented 50 people from being killed, kidnapped or seriously injured since March by monitoring threats in 125,000 messages and 120 video calls.

“We allege that hundreds of criminals, including members of Italian organised crime, members of motorcycle gangs, Middle Eastern organised crime and Korean organised crime, have used Ghost in Australia and overseas to import illegal drugs and order killings,” said Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney.

A drug lab was dismantled in the country, while weapons, drugs and more than €1 million (around £842,000) in cash were seized worldwide.

“This was truly a global game of cat and mouse, and today the game is over,” said Jean-Philippe Lecouffe, Deputy Executive Director of Europol.

The platform, used by thousands of people around the world, became popular with criminal organizations due to its advanced security features. About 1,000 messages were exchanged via the network per day.

Users can purchase the tool anonymously and are given the option to send a message followed by a specific code. This will automatically destroy all messages on the target phone.

The app’s alleged administrator, Jay Je Yoon Jung, 32, appeared in a Sydney court on Wednesday charged with charges including supporting a criminal organisation and benefiting from the proceeds of crime.

He has not yet filed a plea and will remain in custody until his next appearance in November.

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According to police, Jung developed the app specifically for criminal use in 2017, using a network of resellers to offer specialized devices to criminals around the world.

‘Lifebuoy for serious organized crime’

The custom smartphones were sold for AU$2,350 (around £1,200), which included a six-month subscription to Ghost and technical support.

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Catherine De Bolle, director of Europol, called the platform “a lifeline for serious organised crime”.

“Today we have made it clear that criminal networks, no matter how hidden they behave, cannot escape our joint effort,” she said.

The operation was aided by authorities around the world, as servers were found in France and Iceland, the company’s owners were located in Australia, and assets were found in the US.

It was carried out with the help of authorities from Australia, Canada, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the US, as part of a broader effort to combat global organised crime.

According to Europol, further disruptions of illegal activities and more arrests are expected during the investigation.