September 17, 2024 at 10:43PM
Australian Federal Police (AFP) apprehended a man for creating the Ghost app, a platform for criminal activities. Sold with a modified smartphone for approximately AU$2350, it allowed encrypted communication for illicit dealings. The AFP infiltrated Ghost and conducted raids, arresting 38 individuals, seizing weapons and drugs, and preventing numerous acts of violence and murder.
Based on the meeting notes, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has successfully arrested and charged a man for creating and administering an encrypted communication platform called Ghost. This platform was allegedly designed for the criminal underworld, enabling illegal activities such as arranging acts of violence, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
AFP’s infiltration of Ghost led to the discovery and disruption of numerous criminal activities, including the successful execution of 71 search warrants across four Australian states. This operation, codenamed “Kraken,” resulted in 38 arrests, the seizure of 25 illicit weapons, and the prevention of 200 kilograms of illicit drugs from reaching the streets. Additionally, the AFP claims to have intervened in 50 threatened acts of violence or murder through the cracking of the Ghost network.
The AFP’s success in this operation was further emphasized by Europol executive director Catherine De Bolle, who stated that criminal networks cannot evade the collective efforts of law enforcement. The AFP also highlighted past successful decryption of secure apps and its involvement in creating and operating thoroughly backdoored apps for distribution within the criminal community.
In addition, the humorous note about the arrest of a cyber-criminal wearing a hoodie at the time of the arrest was also highlighted.