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51 suspects in several countries have already been arrested: International prosecutors have managed a major blow against organized crime, as reported by the tech portal “Tarnkappe” and the British newspaper “Guardian”, among others.
It was about an encrypted messenger app called “Ghost”. About the app, like that Europolcriminals would have coordinated for drug trafficking, money laundering, violent crime and other forms of organized crime.
Criminals sent 1,000 messages a day via the app
According to Europol, this “WhatsApp for gangsters” was popular among criminals for its sophisticated security measures. Users could purchase “Ghost” without revealing any personal information. The app used three encryption systems. At the user’s request, messages could be given a special code that deletes all messages on the recipient’s device.
This allowed criminals to “communicate securely, evade detection, counteract forensic methods and coordinate their criminal activities across borders,” explains Europol. According to the authority, several thousand people used the app worldwide. Around 1,000 messages were sent via “Ghost” every day.
Investigators arrest 51 suspects
The discovery of “Ghost” servers in France and Iceland, assets in the USA and the owners themselves in Australia made it possible to take action against “Ghost” in the first place. Prosecutors from nine countries worked with Europol.
In a concerted operation, investigators arrested a total of 51 people – 38 suspects in Australia, 11 in Ireland, one in Canada, and an Italian suspect who is said to be a member of a mafia group.
According to Europol, there are likely to be more arrests. In addition, the operation led to the dismantling of a drug laboratory in Australia, and weapons, drugs and over one million euros in cash were confiscated worldwide.
The developer of the app still lived with his parents
Again “Guardian“It is also reported that the alleged developer of the app was also arrested during the operation. At 4 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Australian investigators arrested 32-year-old Jay Je Yoon Jung in a community near Sydney. “Our tactical teams managed to secure him (Jung) and some equipment in less than 30 seconds,” Australian police said.
Jung is now in custody until the trial begins in November. His motive, explains the Australian police, was solely profit. Jung is said to have started building the network nine years ago, when he was just 23 years old.
The suspect is considered a “computer geek” with no criminal record and still lived at home with his parents. Jung is said to have marketed the app and the network to his “customers” as “unhackable”.
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