Technology and crime are becoming an increasingly strong duo, and not only in a positive sense. This story from Australia – from Sydney, to be precise – demonstrates this, where the police arrested a 32-year-old man accused of managing Ghost, a messaging application used by criminal networks that operate globally.”Law enforcement agencies from 9 countries, together with Europol, have dismantled a tool that was a lifeline for major organised crime”, said Catherine De Bolle, Executive Director of Europol, who participated in the operation that led to the arrest of dozens of criminals around the world.
Ghost, the messaging app of criminals around the world
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Table of Contents
Security has always been the strong point of Ghost, the messaging application used by criminal networks to manage activities such as “large-scale drug trafficking, money laundering, cases of extreme violence and other forms of serious and organised crime”. According to Europol, users could purchase Ghost without having to declare any personal information. Furthermore, the application guaranteed them three different encryption standards for private conversations, with the possibility “to send a message followed by a specific code that would cause all messages on the target phone to self-destruct”.
In this way, therefore, the criminals managed to get in touch with each other, evading detection by the police, and following their illegal operations with total (or almost total) peace of mind. “Worldwide, several thousand people have used the tool, which has its own infrastructure and applications with a network of resellers based in several countries”reports Europol. It is no coincidence, in fact, that the operation by the police forces led to the arrest of 51 suspects globally: 38 in Australia, 11 in Ireland, one in Canada and one in Italy, affiliated with the Sacra Corona Unita mafia group. An almost astonishing result, which is due to the collaboration – inaugurated in 2022 – between Europol and the “police authorities in Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States”.
The case of Australia
As reported by the Guardiana 32-year-old man living in Australia, Jay Je Yoon Jung, has created the encrypted app to organize a terrorist attack between March and April, with the aim of inducing the authorities to withdraw the charges against a person close to him, involved in a criminal matter. “The messages contained in the encrypted device are alleged to detail conversations about access to machine guns, bombs, grenades, rocket launchers and flags with terrorist insignia as part of the conspiracy.”, reads the statement released by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The man is also accused of having contributed to the42 kilos of cocaine imported into Sydneyhidden in two refrigerated containers. The messaging app was then used by hundreds of people to manage drug trafficking and organize other crimes, both in Australia and overseas.
According to the Australian Federal Police, for example, the application was reportedly used in the country by at least two large criminal groups: “Flower Power”, which allegedly managed a cocaine trafficking operation worth 170,000 dollars, and “Pot Run Operations”, which allegedly Trafficked more than 125 kg of cannabis between February 2023 and July 2024, earning over $500,000 from the activity.
How is the Ghost messaging app used to facilitate criminal networks?
Technology and Crime: The Rise of Ghost, the Messaging App for Criminal Networks
The world is witnessing a rapid growth in the marriage between technology and crime, with innovative tools and platforms being leveraged by criminals to evade law enforcement agencies. One such instance is the recent bust of a messaging application called Ghost, used by criminal networks globally, led by a 32-year-old man in Sydney, Australia. This operation, involving law enforcement agencies from 9 countries and Europol, highlights the increasing complexity of technology-enabled crime and the need for collaborative efforts to combat it.
Ghost, the Secure Messaging App for Criminals
Ghost, the messaging application at the center of this story, was designed with security as its primary focus. Users could purchase the app without providing personal information, and it offered three different encryption standards for private conversations. Furthermore, the app allowed users to send messages with a specific code that would cause all messages on the target phone to self-destruct. This level of security and anonymity made Ghost an attractive platform for criminal networks to manage their illegal activities, including large-scale drug trafficking, money laundering, and cases of extreme violence.
Global Reach and Operations
According to Europol, Ghost had a global user base of several thousand people, with its own infrastructure and applications, as well as a network of resellers based in multiple countries. The app’s widespread adoption by criminal networks enabled them to communicate and conduct illegal operations with relative ease, evading detection by law enforcement agencies. The recent operation led to the arrest of 51 suspects globally, including 38 in Australia, 11 in Ireland, one in Canada, and one in Italy, affiliated with the Sacra Corona Unita mafia group.
The Australian Connection
In Australia, a 32-year-old man, Jay Je Yoon Jung, was arrested for creating the encrypted app to organize a terrorist attack between March and April. The alleged plan aimed to induce authorities to withdraw charges against a person close to him, involved in a criminal matter. The messages contained in the encrypted device allegedly detailed conversations about access to machine guns, bombs, grenades, rocket launchers, and flags with terrorist insignia as part of the conspiracy. Jung is also accused of importing 42 kilograms of cocaine into Sydney.
Collaborative Efforts to Combat Tech-Enabled Crime
The success of this operation is attributed to the collaboration between Europol and police authorities in Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. This joint effort demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in combating technology-enabled crime. By sharing intelligence and expertise, law enforcement agencies can stay ahead of criminals who leverage advanced technology to evade detection.
The Rise of Tech-Enabled Crime and the Need for Innovative Solutions
The Ghost messaging app is just one example of the increasing sophistication of technology-enabled crime. As criminals adapt and innovate, law enforcement agencies must also evolve to stay ahead of the curve. This requires investment in advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics, to detect and disrupt criminal networks. Furthermore, international cooperation and information sharing are crucial in combating transnational crime.
The dismantling of Ghost, the messaging app for criminals, serves as a warning to those who abuse technology for illegal purposes. It also underscores the need for law enforcement agencies to continue to innovate and collaborate to stay ahead of the evolving threat landscape. As technology continues to shape the world of crime, it is essential to develop proactive strategies to combat the intersection of technology and crime.
Sources:
Europol. (2024). Ghost: The Encrypted App Used by Criminals Worldwide Dismantled. Retrieved from
The Guardian. (2024). Sydney Man Charged over Secret Encrypted Messaging App Used by Criminals. Retrieved from
Keyword Research:
Primary keywords: Technology and crime, Ghost messaging app, criminal networks, encryption, law enforcement, Europol
Secondary keywords: Australia, Sydney, Jay Je Yoon Jung, terrorist attack, cocaine, Sacra Corona Unita mafia group
* Long-tail keywords: Tech-enabled crime, international cooperation, innovative solutions, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, transnational crime.
– What security features make Ghost appealing to criminal organizations?
Ghost, the Messaging App of Criminals Around the World
Technology and crime are becoming an increasingly strong duo, and not only in a positive sense. This story from Australia – from Sydney, to be precise – demonstrates this, where the police arrested a 32-year-old man accused of managing Ghost, a messaging application used by criminal networks that operate globally [[1]]. Law enforcement agencies from 9 countries, together with Europol, have dismantled a tool that was a lifeline for major organized crime, said Catherine De Bolle, Executive Director of Europol, who participated in the operation that led to the arrest of dozens of criminals around the world.
Security Features of Ghost
Security has always been the strong point of Ghost, the messaging application used by criminal networks to manage activities such as large-scale drug trafficking, money laundering, cases of extreme violence, and other forms of serious and organized crime. According to Europol, users could purchase Ghost without having to declare any personal information. Furthermore, the application guaranteed them three different encryption standards for private conversations, with the possibility “to send a message followed by a specific code that would cause all messages on the target phone to self-destruct”.
The Case of Australia
As reported by the Guardian, a 32-year-old man living in Australia, Jay Je Yoon Jung, has created the encrypted app to organize a terrorist attack between March and April, with the aim of inducing the authorities to withdraw the charges against a person close to him, involved in a criminal matter. The messages contained in the encrypted device are alleged to detail conversations about access to machine guns, bombs, grenades, rocket launchers, and flags with terrorist insignia as part of the conspiracy.
The man is also accused of having contributed to the 42 kilos of cocaine imported into Sydney hidden in two refrigerated containers. The messaging app was then used by hundreds of people to manage drug trafficking and organize other crimes, both in Australia and overseas.
How is the Ghost Messaging App Used to Facilitate Criminal Networks?
The Ghost messaging app was used by criminal networks to facilitate communication and organization of illegal activities. The app’s security features, such as encryption and self-destructing messages, made it an attractive tool for criminals to use. The app was reportedly used in Australia by at least two large criminal groups: “Flower Power”, which allegedly managed a cocaine trafficking operation worth 170,000 dollars, and “Pot Run Operations”, which allegedly trafficked more than 125 kg of cannabis between February 2023 and July 2024, earning over $500,000 from the activity.
Consequences of the Operation
The operation by the police forces led to the arrest of 51 suspects globally: 38 in Australia, 11 in Ireland, one in Canada, and one in Italy, affiliated with the Sacra Corona Unita mafia group. An almost astonishing result, which is due to the collaboration – inaugurated in 2022 – between Europol and the “police authorities in Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States”.
Note:
Ghost is also the name of a Swedish rock band [[3]]and a brand of bicycles [[2]], but in this article, we are only referring to the messaging app used by criminal networks.
References:
[1] https://www.livenation.fi/artist-ghost-175809
[2] https://www.ghost-bikes.com/
[3] https://www.youtube.com/user/thebandGhost1
