The United Press International, led by the Europol and the European Union’s Office of Criminal Justice Co-operation, law enforcement agencies in many countries recently cracked down on a series of encrypted communications platform-based conspiracy or organized crime, a total of 51 people were arrested, seized a large number of drugs and stolen money. The gangs communicate covertly through an encrypted app called Ghost, which is involved in money laundering, drug manufacturing, drug trafficking, violence and even murder, its criminal activities span Europe, the Middle East and many parts of Asia. More dramatically, the”Ghost” platform is actually behind a deep-cover”Two-face”, working for an ordinary Australian housekeeping company.
The International Coalition of law enforcement representatives, including Europol, held a press conference in The Hague on 18 September to announce action against the ghost app.
International Cat and mouse
The”Ghost” attracted the attention of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) as early as 2021. The BBC reports that rather than being a mobile app, it is more of a solution to a whole set of encryption services on a platform with triple encryption standards that make it difficult to identify users. Lawbreakers don’t have to provide any personal information when they buy a service, and the information they send can be wiped clean. With private services all over the world, it is difficult for government agencies to trace the source of these communications. “Ghost” launched by the multi-national gangsters favored, its main user groups include the Middle East, Eastern Europe, South Korea’s gangs and Italy’s Mafia. The platform’s criminals conspire in activities involving arms dealing, murder, money laundering and drug crimes.
According to reports, AFP successfully infiltrated in March this year, opening a breakthrough for solving the case. During the”Incubation” period, investigators collected a total of 125,000 text messages and 120 video calls, and also succeeded in preventing dozens of murders, extortion and violence. According to the BBC, the investigation, “Ghost” server in France and other places, the platform”Behind” in Australia, a large number of illegal assets stored in the United States.
Among the suspects arrested, Australian police arrested 38 people and destroyed a drug-manufacturing facility, while Irish police arrested 11 people and seized cocaine worth about 15.2 million euros, more than 300,000 euros in cash and a large number of tools were also seized. Enforcement efforts in countries such as Canada and Italy have also yielded mixed results. According to the Europol, the nine-country operation was an international “Cat and mouse”.
“Double life.”
AFP surrounded a mansion in the south-west suburb of Sydney on Sunday, sending 32-year-old Koreans Yunzhe, the founder of Ghost, into a police car. The sudden change shocked his family, and his 70-year-old father broke down in tears in front of reporters. The South Korean immigrant family, who settled in Australia 30 years ago and now run a household cleaning company, has never crossed a legal red line in business, the Sydney Morning Herald said. According to his resume, Zheng has worked in sales and is currently the general manager of his own company. According to neighbors, the young man quiet, some”Social phobia” and so far single, is the parents of the”Good son.
According to Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports, Jung is actually a hidden computer guru who started ghost at the age of 23. He has also built a tight distribution system, peddling apps and encryption services through large numbers of distributors, and he provides only technical support. But he has absolute say over whether new users can join the platform. The phone with the ghost app costs a $2,345(11,000 yuan) and comes with a six-month software life, according to police. Most of Cheng’s ill-gotten gains were converted into cryptocurrency, and a luxury car was parked outside his parents’ home. UPI said he is currently charged with aiding and abetting a criminal gang and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
It has a ripple effect
With the technological iteration of intelligent electronic equipment, the use of encryption to carry out organized crime is becoming increasingly rampant. Some media believe that for the”Ghost” law enforcement victory significant, it to a certain extent hit the illegal elements of the encryption platform confidence. However, due to a wide range of encryption communication programs and a small audience, some media believe that the illegal activities carried out around such platforms will be”Both active and decentralized” in the future, it could be a problem for law enforcement. Some experts believe that such enforcement actions have a”Ripple effect” and are likely to undermine mobile phone users’ confidence in privacy and security.