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Organized crime is using encrypted messaging apps to enlist youth. This spells trouble for police
AppWizard
August 9, 2026

Organized crime is using encrypted messaging apps to enlist youth. This spells trouble for police

Toronto has seen an increase in gunfire incidents aimed at the U.S. consulate, leading to the arrests of a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old. These incidents are linked to alleged gun-for-hire plots that also target Jewish schools, synagogues, and waste management facilities in the Greater Toronto Area. Investigators are facing difficulties in identifying the masterminds behind these operations, partly due to the use of encrypted messaging apps to recruit young individuals. The federal government's Bill C-22 aims to provide law enforcement with tools to address these challenges, but it has faced criticism for potential overreach and privacy concerns. Police Chief Myron Demkiw emphasized the need for effective tools to prevent violence facilitated through encrypted communication. Technology analyst Carmi Levy raised concerns about balancing law enforcement needs with privacy rights. Additionally, there is a societal responsibility to protect children from online recruitment by criminal networks, with calls for proactive conversations between parents and children and educational initiatives in schools.
CCP-Controlled Messaging App WeChat Used for ‘Coordination Among Chinese Criminal Networks’ in US, Sen Lankford Writes to Trump
AppWizard
January 27, 2026

CCP-Controlled Messaging App WeChat Used for ‘Coordination Among Chinese Criminal Networks’ in US, Sen Lankford Writes to Trump

Senator James Lankford has requested the White House to consider banning WeChat from U.S. app stores due to concerns about its use by Chinese criminal organizations for activities like drug trafficking and money laundering. WeChat, owned by Tencent Holdings Ltd., has been identified as a key tool for coordinating these criminal networks. U.S. law enforcement currently lacks access to WeChat's encrypted communications, complicating investigations. This request follows a previous attempt by the Trump administration to ban WeChat, which was deemed unconstitutional. The Biden administration has since conducted a national security assessment and enacted the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which allows the president to blacklist Chinese applications like WeChat. The Pentagon has already blacklisted Tencent for its ties to Chinese military companies. Recent criminal activities linked to WeChat include a case where a Chinese national was charged with murder on an illegal marijuana farm. Lankford urges the designation of WeChat as a "covered company" to enhance U.S. national security and assist law enforcement against Chinese criminal networks.
Emotet: The horse returns to a gallop more dangerous than ever
Tech Optimizer
November 13, 2025

Emotet: The horse returns to a gallop more dangerous than ever

Emotet is a Trojan Horse malware that emerged in 2014, impacting over 1.6 million devices and originally designed to steal banking credentials. Developed by the MealyBug criminal organization, it evolved into a modular Trojan-dropper, enabling it to download various payloads and act as Malware-as-a-Service on the dark web. Emotet spreads primarily through spam emails, often using malicious Word or Excel files, and has been disseminated via local area networks and password-protected zip folders. The malware operates through botnets categorized into epochs, with Epochs 1, 2, and 3 dismantled in 2021 by a coordinated international operation. Following this, Emotet resurfaced in November 2021 as Epochs 4 and 5, incorporating a Cobalt Strike beacon for enhanced propagation. Recommended precautions include keeping software updated, using two-factor authentication, and educating employees about email threats. Network administrators are advised to block unscannable email attachments, configure specific email filters, and maintain secure backups.
Backdoored ‘secure’ messaging app leads to more arrests
AppWizard
November 4, 2025

Backdoored ‘secure’ messaging app leads to more arrests

Australian law enforcement arrested 55 individuals in a recent operation targeting organized crime, aided by intelligence from a backdoored messaging application called AN0M. AN0M was developed by the FBI and Australia’s Federal Police (AFP) after the shutdown of a service called Phantom Secure, which facilitated encrypted communications for criminals. AN0M users were unaware that the app contained a backdoor for authorities to access their messages. In 2022, the Australian High Court ruled that AN0M’s operations were legal, as it functioned as a closed system. The recent raids in South Australia were part of the ongoing efforts under "Operation Ironside," which has seen multiple waves of activity linked to AN0M. The operation led to the restraint of assets valued at AUD 8 million. The AFP continues to push for access to encrypted communications to improve public safety investigations.
Cloudflare, Microsoft & police disrupt global malware service
Tech Optimizer
May 23, 2025

Cloudflare, Microsoft & police disrupt global malware service

Cloudflare, in collaboration with Microsoft and international law enforcement, has dismantled the infrastructure of LummaC2, an information-stealing malware service. This initiative led to the seizure and blocking of malicious domains and disrupted digital marketplaces used by criminals. Lumma Stealer operates as a subscription service providing threat actors access to a central panel for customized malware builds and stolen data retrieval. The stolen information includes credentials, cryptocurrency wallets, and sensitive data, posing risks of identity theft and financial fraud. Lumma Stealer was first identified on Russian-language crime forums in early 2023 and has since migrated to Telegram for distribution. Its proliferation is facilitated by social engineering campaigns, including deceptive pop-ups and bundled malware in cracked software. Cloudflare implemented measures to block access to Lumma's command and control servers and collaborated with various authorities to prevent the criminals from regaining control. Mitigation strategies for users include restricting unknown scripts, limiting password storage in browsers, and using reputable endpoint protection tools. The operation has significantly hindered Lumma's operations and aims to undermine the infostealer-as-a-service model contributing to cybercrime.
Encrypted messaging apps: a persistent challenge in fighting organised crime
AppWizard
October 28, 2024

Encrypted messaging apps: a persistent challenge in fighting organised crime

Approximately 700 officers from the Australian Federal Police executed arrest warrants as part of Operation Kraken, aimed at apprehending Jay Je Yoon Jung, the alleged mastermind behind the encrypted messaging application Ghost, used for organized crime. Ghost facilitated various illicit activities, including drug and weapon trafficking, with around 800 devices globally, 376 identified in Australia. The AFP learned about Ghost through Europol and collaborated with the US FBI and Royal Canadian Mounted Police to access its software. The operation highlighted challenges in disrupting encrypted communications, accelerating law enforcement's technological adoption, and preventing future exploitation by criminals. Australia's encryption laws allow law enforcement to access encrypted communications, sparking a debate on privacy and public safety. Continuous innovation, international collaboration, and training for law enforcement are essential to counter organized crime effectively.
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