organized crime Archives

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

Elon Musk Is Trying to Hinder Anti-Trump Whistleblowers

Elon Musk has blocked links to the encrypted messaging app Signal on his platform, X, causing concerns about the selective application of free speech. Cybersecurity researchers reported that accessing Signal links results in a warning page, although users can still proceed. Donald Trump is advocating for leniency towards Andrew Tate, who, along with his brother, faces serious legal charges in Romania but has temporarily blocked his indictment and remains under investigation. Musk's DOGE initiative seeks access to sensitive taxpayer information from the IRS, prompting ethical and security concerns among officials. Musk has also expressed support for Trump's criticisms of CBS’s 60 Minutes, reflecting a growing alignment with Trump's narrative against mainstream media. The Associated Press is in conflict with the Trump administration over the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America," resulting in the revocation of its access to significant areas like the Oval Office and Air Force One.

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.

AppWizard

October 17, 2024

The 2025 game release calendar is going to tower over this year with constant major launches

The gaming landscape is set for significant changes in 2025, with many new titles expected to be released. Notable upcoming games include Avowed, scheduled for February 18, 2025, alongside Civilization 7 and Assassin's Creed: Shadows on February 11, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. GTA 6 is anticipated for a 2025 launch, though no specific date has been confirmed. The January 2025 release schedule includes: - January 16: Assetto Corsa EVO (Steam) - January 16: Dynasty Warriors: Origins (Steam) - January 28: The Stone of Madness (Steam) - January 28: Warside (Steam) February 2025 releases include: - February 11: Civilization 7 (Steam) - February 11: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (Steam) - February 14: Assassin's Creed: Shadows (Epic) - February 14: Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered (Steam) - February 18: Avowed (Steam) - February 28: Monster Hunter Wilds (Steam) March 2025 will see: - March 4: Two Point Museum (Steam) - March 20: Atelier Yumia (Steam) - March 25: Tales of the Shire (Steam) Several games are generating interest without specific release dates, including Grand Theft Auto 6, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, and Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2. Other notable upcoming games include Control 2, Fable, and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater.

AppWizard

September 21, 2024

Arrests in Canada part of global takedown of criminal messaging app: police – National | Globalnews.ca

Australian police have successfully infiltrated the encrypted communications app Ghost, leading to the arrest of 38 individuals across four states and the disruption of various criminal networks. The alleged mastermind, Jay Je Yoon Jung, 32, has been charged with supporting a criminal organization and profiting from criminal activities, and he will remain in custody until his next court appearance in November. The app has been used by various criminal groups for illegal drug importation and violent acts. Since March, police have monitored over 125,000 messages and 120 video calls, preventing 50 potential incidents of serious harm. Jung developed the Ghost app in 2017 for criminal enterprises, and a global task force targeting it began in 2022, involving agencies such as the FBI and RCMP. Jung allegedly operated a network providing specialized smartphones to criminals, priced at 2,350 Australian dollars, which included a subscription to Ghost.

AppWizard

September 20, 2024

Encrypted ‘Ghost’ App: What We Know

Authorities have dismantled the encrypted chat application Ghost, which was used by criminal networks globally. Launched in 2021, Ghost required users to purchase customized devices for access, ensuring anonymity. It operated with three encryption standards, allowing users to erase messages and reset devices. The app’s servers were located in Iceland and France, with its founder in Australia and financial transactions traced to the United States. Ghost had several thousand users, exchanging around 1,000 messages daily, and was exclusively associated with criminal enterprises, facilitating drug trafficking, weapons dealing, violence, and money laundering. The operation resulted in the arrest of 51 individuals, primarily in Australia, and is part of a trend of law enforcement dismantling encrypted platforms like EncroChat and Sky ECC. Despite these successes, the landscape of encrypted communication remains fragmented, with major services like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram still in use. Law enforcement emphasizes the need for access to communications among criminals while balancing user privacy.

AppWizard

September 20, 2024

International Raids Shut Down Ghost Encrypted Messaging App

Law enforcement agencies from multiple countries executed an operation that dismantled Ghost, an encrypted messaging service used by criminal organizations, resulting in 51 arrests and the confiscation of over .1 million in assets. The alleged creator and administrator of Ghost, a 32-year-old Australian citizen, was among those arrested. The operation led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), in collaboration with international agencies, also resulted in the shutdown of a drug lab in Australia and the seizure of weapons and narcotics. Ghost was developed nine years ago and marketed exclusively to criminals, allowing secure communication via modified mobile phones sold for about ,350. The app featured advanced security measures, including self-destructing messages and multiple encryption standards. It facilitated communications for large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering, with around 1,000 messages exchanged daily. Law enforcement began investigating Ghost in 2022, leading to a task force that identified key suppliers and users. The operation, conducted between September 17 and 18, resulted in 38 arrests in Australia, 11 in Ireland, and one each in Canada and Italy. The alleged mastermind faces multiple criminal charges. Ongoing law enforcement actions against encrypted messaging services are causing a shift in criminal communication strategies, leading to a fragmented messaging landscape and presenting challenges for law enforcement.

AppWizard

September 19, 2024

How the AFP cracked criminal messaging app ‘Ghost’

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) launched Operation Kraken, mobilizing up to 700 officers for coordinated raids targeting a 32-year-old man, Jay Je Yoon Jung, alleged to have created an encrypted communication platform called 'Ghost' used by organized crime. The operation involved pre-dawn raids, with a focus on Jung's residence in Narwee, Sydney, where flashbangs were used. Jung faces serious charges, including supporting a criminal organization and dealing in identification information. The Ghost app, marketed as 'tamper-proof', attracted criminal clients such as the Hell's Angels. The AFP has monitored over 125,000 messages on the platform, resulting in 46 arrests and the prevention of 50 threats to life. They seized over 210 kilograms of illicit drugs, 26 weapons, and million in cash during the operation. The AFP's technical team developed methods to access devices linked to Ghost, enabling them to gather real-time intelligence. Operation Kraken follows the successful Operation Ironside against another encrypted messaging platform, ANOM, enhancing the AFP's capability to combat organized crime and share intelligence internationally.

AppWizard

September 19, 2024

Global police sting topples ‘Ghost’ criminal messaging app

Australian and international police have dismantled an encrypted communications platform called "Ghost," used by criminal gangs for drug trafficking, money laundering, and violent crimes. The operation resulted in 51 arrests, with 38 in Australia. The servers of Ghost were located in France and Iceland, and its creators were identified in Australia, with financial ties to the U.S. The primary suspect, a 32-year-old Australian citizen, was arrested for creating and administering Ghost since its launch in 2017. Users acquired modified smartphones for approximately 2,350 Australian dollars, which included a six-month subscription and tech support. Europol estimates thousands of individuals used Ghost, exchanging around 1,000 messages daily. Law enforcement infiltrated the network in spring 2022, enabling them to prevent numerous violent incidents and save 50 potential victims. The operation involved nine countries and led to the dismantling of a drug lab in Australia, as well as the seizure of weapons, drugs, and over €1 million in cash.

AppWizard

September 18, 2024

Police infiltrate Ghost encrypted messaging app, dozens arrested

Australian law enforcement infiltrated the encrypted communications app "Ghost," linked to organized crime, resulting in 38 arrests across four states and additional arrests in Canada, Sweden, Ireland, and Italy. Jay Je Yoon Jung, the 32-year-old suspected administrator of Ghost, faced charges in a Sydney court and remains in custody. The app, created in 2017, was used by various criminal groups for secure communication and has been associated with drug importation and orchestrated killings. Since March, authorities monitored 125,000 messages and 120 video calls through Ghost, preventing 50 potential incidents of serious crime. Australia's collaboration with a Europol-led task force began in 2022, and French authorities provided technical resources to decrypt communications. Australian police further compromised Ghost by altering software updates, allowing access to content on devices within Australia. Jung allegedly managed a network of resellers, selling modified smartphones with Ghost for 2,350 Australian dollars, which included a subscription and technical support.