In a significant development for global law enforcement, Australian and international police have successfully infiltrated and dismantled an encrypted communications platform known as “Ghost,” which was reportedly designed specifically for criminal activities. This operation, announced by Europol from The Hague, revealed that criminal gangs around the world utilized Ghost for serious offenses, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent crimes.
Following months of monitoring private communications, authorities have made 51 arrests, with 38 occurring in Australia alone. Europol’s Executive Director, Catherine De Bolle, emphasized the collaborative effort of global partners in this operation, stating, “Today we have made it clear that no matter how hidden criminal networks think they are, they can’t evade our collective effort.”
Details of the Operation
The investigation uncovered that the servers of Ghost were located in France and Iceland, while the platform’s creators were identified in Australia, with financial resources traced back to the United States. Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney noted the involvement of various organized crime groups, including Italian and Middle Eastern syndicates, in utilizing Ghost for illicit activities.
The primary suspect, a 32-year-old Australian citizen from New South Wales, was arrested and charged with creating and administering the Ghost platform, which he allegedly launched in 2017. Despite having no prior convictions, he remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
Specialized Hardware for Criminal Use
Ghost users acquired not just software but also specially modified smartphones, sold as part of a comprehensive package. Priced at approximately 2,350 Australian dollars (around US ,590), these devices came with a six-month subscription to Ghost and ongoing tech support. The platform was marketed as “unhackable,” featuring multiple encryption standards and the ability to remotely delete messages if a device was lost or seized.
Europol estimates that thousands of individuals globally utilized Ghost, exchanging around 1,000 messages daily. In Australia alone, authorities discovered 376 phones equipped with the software.
Law Enforcement’s Strategic Infiltration
Despite Ghost’s claims of security, law enforcement managed to infiltrate the network as early as spring 2022. Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner McCartney credited France for providing critical access, allowing Australian authorities to decrypt communications. This breakthrough enabled police to monitor threats and prevent numerous violent incidents, with reports indicating that 50 potential victims were saved from harm.
Europol’s Deputy Executive Director, Jean-Philippe Lecouffe, remarked on the operation’s significance, stating it had dismantled a vital tool for organized crime. The investigation also led to the discovery and dismantling of a drug lab in Australia, alongside the seizure of weapons, drugs, and over €1 million in cash globally.
International Collaboration
The operation involved law enforcement agencies from nine countries, including Canada, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States. Ghost’s shutdown adds to a growing list of encrypted communication platforms that have been targeted by authorities in recent years, following the closures of services like Encrochat and Sky ECC.
