The ‘global organised crime app’ has allegedly been used to traffic drugs, launder money, and order killings, according to the Australian Federal Police.
Key Takeaways
- The AFP says the Ghost platform included encrypted smartphones sold for $2,350 each.
- Federal police decrypted Ghost messages to prevent violent crimes and dismantle crime syndicates.
- 376 devices were active in Australia according to the AFP .
- Five arrests were made in Sydney, with further arrests and search warrants issued across Australia.
- Police seized $2 million in assets, drugs, cryptocurrencies, and bank accounts linked to criminal syndicates.
- The AFP says the investigation prevented the deaths of 50 Australians.
Crucial quote
“We allege hundreds of criminals, including Italian Organised Crime, outlaw motorcycle gang members, Middle Eastern Organised Crime and Korean Organised Crime have used Ghost in Australia and overseas to import illicit drugs and order killings,” the AFP said in a statement.
What is Ghost?
The Ghost platform, that the federal police say was created nine years ago, is an encrypted communication network allegedly built for the criminal underworld. It is claimed that a network of resellers sold modified smartphones, each priced at $2,350, which included access to the encrypted platform and six months of tech support.
“The administrator regularly pushed out software updates, just like the ones needed for normal mobile phones. But the AFP was able to modify those updates, which basically infected the devices, enabling the AFP to access the content on devices in Australia,” an AFP statement reads.
Criminal organisations worldwide, including Italian Organised Crime, outlaw motorcycle gangs, Middle Eastern Organised Crime, and Korean Organised Crime, are alleged to have used Ghost to traffic drugs, launder money, and even order killings, the AFP states.
The AFP said it developed a covert solution to infiltrate the platform, allowing them to decrypt and read messages in real-time. This enabled authorities to gather critical intelligence and dismantle criminal syndicates.
Key Background
Operation Kraken, launched by the AFP in 2022, targeted the Ghost platform. Since the operation began, 38 arrests have been made, 71 search warrants executed. 25 weapons and 200kg of illicit drugs have also been seized.
Further arrests related to Operation Kraken have taken place across Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and the ACT. Assets seized include drugs, cryptocurrencies, and bank accounts. In WA, police seized $2 million as part of an arrest.
Police actions related to Ghost are ongoing in Europe and Canada.
The investigation is significant because it’s the first time an Australian-based individual has been accused of masterminding and administering a global criminal platform, the AFP says. Up to 50 people may face charges in connection to the platform.
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