Australian law enforcement has made significant strides in combating organized crime through the infiltration of an encrypted communications application known as “Ghost.” This app, allegedly developed for criminal enterprises, has been linked to a multitude of illicit activities, leading to a series of coordinated arrests across the nation and beyond.
Details of the Operation
Jay Je Yoon Jung, the 32-year-old suspected administrator of Ghost, faced charges in a Sydney court for his role in supporting a criminal organization and profiting from crime. Jung did not enter a plea or seek bail, resulting in his continued custody until his next court date in November.
In a sweeping operation, Australian police arrested 38 individuals across four states, with additional arrests reported by law enforcement agencies in Canada, Sweden, Ireland, and Italy. According to Ian McCartney, Deputy Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, the app has been utilized by a diverse range of criminal groups, including Italian organized crime, motorcycle gangs, and various international syndicates.
“We allege that hundreds of criminals have used Ghost to import illicit drugs and orchestrate killings,” McCartney stated during a press briefing. The app, which Jung purportedly created in 2017, was specifically designed to facilitate secure and anonymous communication among organized crime factions.
Impact of the Infiltration
Since March, Australian authorities have monitored an impressive volume of communications, including 125,000 messages and 120 video calls transmitted through Ghost. This intelligence gathering has reportedly prevented 50 potential incidents of murder, kidnapping, or serious injury, according to Assistant Commissioner Kirsty Schofield.
Australia’s involvement in a Europol-led global task force aimed at dismantling Ghost began in 2022. The app’s sophisticated encryption and unique features made it a preferred tool for criminals seeking to evade law enforcement. However, the collaborative efforts with international partners proved crucial in breaching the app’s defenses.
Col. Florian Manet, head of France’s Home Affairs Ministry National Cyber Command Technical Department, noted that French authorities provided essential technical resources over several years, which were instrumental in decrypting the app’s communications. McCartney acknowledged the French assistance, stating, “They provided a foot in the door for us to decrypt Ghost communications.”
Technical Innovations in Law Enforcement
In a strategic move, Australian police technicians further compromised Ghost by altering software updates that Jung regularly distributed. This innovative approach allowed law enforcement to access content on devices within Australia. “In effect, we infected the devices, enabling us to access the content on Australian devices,” McCartney elaborated.
Jung, who resided with his parents in Sydney and had no prior criminal history, was apprehended at his home. Authorities allege that he managed a network of resellers, distributing specialized smartphones equipped with Ghost to criminals worldwide. These modified devices were sold for 2,350 Australian dollars (approximately $1,590), which included a six-month subscription to the encrypted app and ongoing technical support.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.