Wed Sep 18 03:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Australian Federal Police Crack Encrypted Platform ‘Ghost’, Arrest 50 Suspects

**Sydney, Australia** – In a major blow to organized crime, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has successfully infiltrated and dismantled the encrypted communications platform ‘Ghost’, arresting 50 individuals suspected of using the platform for illicit activities.

The AFP revealed today that they gained access to Ghost by modifying software updates pushed out by its creators, allowing them to intercept communications on devices within Australia. This operation, codenamed ‘Operation Kraken’, targeted both Australian users and the platform’s alleged Australian creator, a 32-year-old man from Narwee, Sydney.

Ghost, which was launched nine years ago, reportedly provided modified smartphones with encrypted messaging capabilities to criminals for a six-month subscription fee of $2350. The AFP estimated that 376 smartphones were actively using the platform before its shutdown.

The investigation, which began in 2022 as part of an international task force called OTF NEXT, resulted in the AFP executing warrants across Australia over the next 48 hours. The suspects are accused of using Ghost for a range of crimes, including drug trafficking, money laundering, ordering killings, and threatening violence.

“Taking down dedicated encrypted communication devices takes significant skill,” said AFP Deputy Commissioner for Crime Ian McCartney. “But the holy grail is always penetrating criminal platforms to access evidence – and this is where the AFP is world-leading.”

McCartney highlighted the success of the operation, claiming that the AFP was able to prevent “the death or serious injury of 50 individuals in Australia” by intercepting communications on Ghost.

International authorities also reported gaining access to communications on Ghost, though it is unclear whether they employed the same method as the AFP.

This operation marks one of the largest takedowns of its kind since the AFP and FBI dismantled the encrypted messaging platform AN0M in 2021. Similar efforts have previously targeted services like EncroChat, Sky Global, and Phantom Secure.

Europol is expected to release further details on the dismantling of Ghost later today.

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