{"id":168575,"date":"2024-09-19T18:32:22","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T18:32:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/securityaffairs.com\/?p=168575"},"modified":"2024-09-19T18:32:24","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T18:32:24","slug":"police-dismantled-criminal-communication-platform-ghost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/securityaffairs.com\/168575\/cyber-crime\/police-dismantled-criminal-communication-platform-ghost.html","title":{"rendered":"International law enforcement operation dismantled criminal communication platform Ghost"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/gwmw><\/gwmw>An international law enforcement operation infiltrated the encrypted messaging app Ghost, which was widely used by criminals, resulting in the arrest of dozens of individuals.<\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An international law enforcement operation infiltrated the encrypted communications app Ghost, designed for criminal use, leading to numerous arrests. The alleged administrator of the app, Jay Je Yoon Jung (32), was charged with supporting a criminal organization and profiting from illegal activities. Jung remains in custody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ghost encrypted messaging platform was created about nine years ago, but it became a target for law enforcement in 2022. <\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Ghost app supports advanced security features, it allowed thousands of customers subscribing the service by paying in cryptocurrency. The app supported three layers of encryption and message self-destruction system that erased messages from both the sender\u2019s and recipient\u2019s devices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The app was promoted in the crime ecosystem through a widespread network of resellers. The modified smartphones were sold for around $2,350, which included a six-month subscription to the encrypted network and tech support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ghost<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The task force, created by Europol and led by FBI and French Gendarmerie, was code named OTF NEXT. OTF NEXT includes the AFP, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Swedish Police Authority, Dutch National Police, Irish Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the Italian Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Service. The Icelandic Police also supported the operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Europol and Eurojust, together with law enforcement and judicial authorities from around the world, have successfully dismantled an encrypted communication platform that was established to facilitate serious and organised crime perpetrated by dangerous criminal networks operating on a global scale.” reads the report<\/a> published by Europol. “The platform, known as Ghost, was used as a tool to carry out a wide range of criminal activities, including large-scale drug trafficking, money laundering, instances of extreme violence and other forms of serious and organised crime.”<\/em><\/gwmw><\/gwmw><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Europol’s press release, globally, approximately 1,000 messages are exchanged daily on the Ghost app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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