Sydney, Australia — Authorities reported Saturday that an Australian man has been arrested and charged with distributing the encrypted messaging app known as “Ghost,” which it was believed criminals around the world used to arrange drug deals and carry out other violent crimes.
A program called Ghost app, described as “unhackable,” was allegedly adopted by hundreds of suspected criminals across Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia. It was created by a 32-year-old Australian programmer, who still lives with his parents in suburban Sydney.
The AFP said a 47-year-old man has been arrested for his role as a distributor of the app. The method involved “dead drops,” which are pre-arranged hiding spots where collection will occur, in the distribution of the Ghost app enciphered on pre-loaded smartphones.
Global law enforcement agencies penetrated the Ghost network. It monitored, on all levels of information, the discussions of the culprits regarding several activities on drug trafficking, money laundering, and homicides. On a coordinated swoop at the end of September month, police rounded up individuals from Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Canada, and Australia-including Jay Je Yoon Jung, described as mastermind of the application.
Almost a decade old, Ghost is like WhatsApp but at a cost of a changed smartphone that will run at some USD 1,590 for access. The French authorities, in coordination with the local Australian police, started to pursue the creator of the ghost app and found him in Australia, so they started pinpointed operations against the said application.
According to Europol, there are thousands of users worldwide who depend on Ghost, with 1000 messages sent daily by users worldwide. The authorities in Australia were able to track 376 phones fitted with the Ghost application.
This crackdown brings forth ongoing law enforcement agency efforts around the world to curb organized crime while using high levels of technology in facilitating such illegalities.