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Cybercrime Platform Ghost Shut Down by International Law Enforcement

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Cybercrime Platform Ghost Shut Down by International Law Enforcement

Thousands of criminals worldwide were using the same platform, Ghost, to conduct illicit activities. The platform offered multiple encryption options, but despite these security measures, Europol and other agencies successfully broke through and arrested its administrator.

Dismantling the Ghost Platform

A coalition of law enforcement agencies dismantled Ghost, a platform offering advanced, encrypted communication services for criminals. The platform was run by a single administrator, a 32-year-old man arrested in Australia, and allowed users worldwide to exchange messages and even assassination requests.

Encryption and Investigations

Ghost supported three different encryption standards, and users were reportedly able to delete all previously exchanged messages by sending a single, specific code. The joint investigation began in 2022 and concluded with multiple arrests across countries.

Europol worked with agencies from nine different countries to take down Ghost. The platform was widely used by notorious criminal organizations, including Italian mob syndicates, outlaw motorcycle gangs, Middle Eastern groups, and Korean gangs. These groups relied on the app to coordinate drug trafficking operations, order assassinations, and more.

Consequences and Outcomes

Up to 50 lives were potentially saved after decrypting messages, preventing further injuries or murders. Investigators were able to read users’ messages, leading to multiple arrests. The operation resulted in the arrests of the Ghost administrator, as well as multiple suspects in Australia, Ireland, Canada, and Italy.

Organized crime syndicates are increasingly turning to various encrypted platforms, fragmenting the market into multiple smaller networks. Law enforcement agencies are making significant inroads into encrypted phone communication, taking down platforms like Ghost and EncroChat.

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