Global Sting Operation Targets 'Ghost' App Used by Criminals
A meticulously coordinated international sting operation has successfully dismantled an encrypted messaging application known as ‘Ghost’, which has allegedly served as a communication tool for hundreds of criminals engaged in drug trafficking, money laundering, and even orchestrating murders across the globe.
At the center of this operation is Jay Je Yoon Jung, a 32-year-old Australian who is suspected of being the mastermind behind the app. Authorities report that Ghost was marketed as ‘unhackable’ to various underworld figures spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
This extensive operation saw collaboration among police forces from nine different countries, all under the auspices of Europol. Jean-Philippe Lecouffe, Europol’s deputy executive director, characterized the endeavor as a global game of cat and mouse, culminating in the arrests of numerous criminals in nations such as Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Canada, and Australia.
Developed nearly a decade ago, the Ghost app was accessible exclusively through modified smartphones, which were priced around $1,590, and required a subscription for use. However, in a significant breakthrough in 2022, Australian police managed to infiltrate the app’s network by hijacking software updates. This strategic move allowed them to monitor encrypted communications for a span of two years.
During this period, law enforcement thwarted a multitude of violent plots, including 50 death threats. In one notable incident, police intercepted a harrowing image depicting a gun held to an individual’s head, enabling them to rescue the person within just an hour.
On a global scale, authorities seized a substantial cache of weapons, drugs, and over one million euros in cash. In Ireland, police disrupted a significant drug trafficking route, confiscating narcotics valued at approximately 16 million euros.
This operation echoes the earlier takedown of ANOM, another encrypted platform developed by the FBI, which resulted in 800 arrests in 2021. Following the dismantling of ANOM, Ghost emerged as a favored alternative among criminals. However, authorities are now optimistic about their ability to eliminate similar applications in the forthcoming year.
Jung, who has been described as a computer enthusiast with no prior criminal record, was apprehended at his residence in New South Wales. He now faces five charges, including supporting a criminal organization, and could potentially face a prison sentence of up to three years.
