OVERVIEW 🌍
Australian police announced on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, that they have infiltrated Ghost, an encrypted global communications app used by criminals. This operation led to numerous arrests.
ARREST DETAILS 👮♂️
The app's alleged administrator, Jay Je Yoon Jung, 32, faced charges in a Sydney court for supporting a criminal organization and profiting from crime. Jung did not plead or seek bail and will remain in custody until his next court appearance in November.
GLOBAL IMPACT 🌐
Recent raids in Australia resulted in 38 arrests across four states. Meanwhile, law enforcement in Canada, Sweden, Ireland, and Italy also made arrests. According to Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney, Ghost was used by various criminal groups, including Italian organized crime, motorcycle gangs, Middle Eastern crime syndicates, and Korean gangs, to import drugs and order murders.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES 🚓
Since March, police have intercepted 125,000 messages and 120 video calls, preventing 50 planned attacks, kidnappings, or serious injuries. Assistant Commissioner Kirsty Schofield reported these findings.
DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION 🛠️
Police allege that Jung developed Ghost in 2017 specifically for criminal use. Australia joined a Europol-led global task force targeting Ghost in 2022.
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT 🌍🤝
Col. Florian Manet from France's Home Affairs Ministry said his team provided technical support that helped decrypt communications. McCartney noted that French assistance was crucial in gaining access to Ghost. Australian police technicians were able to exploit software updates to access content on devices used in Australia.
JUNG’S NETWORK📱
Jung, arrested at his Sydney home, allegedly used a network of resellers to distribute specialized handsets globally. These modified smartphones, priced at 2,350 Australian dollars ($1,590), included a six-month subscription to Ghost and tech support.
TEAM COINPOWER
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