Global police crackdown on users of anti-organised crime apps

A 32-year-old Australian “computer geek” has been arrested on suspicion of being the mastermind behind an encrypted messaging app used by criminals around the world to facilitate drug trafficking and order murders, local police said on Wednesday.

The Australian Federal Police said the app – known as Ghost – was advertised as “impossible to hack” and was used by hundreds of suspected criminals from Italy, the Middle East and Asia.

However, what users didn’t know was that global law enforcement agencies had hacked into the network and were watching as criminals discussed drug trafficking, money laundering, murder and serious violence.

Authorities finally took action on Tuesday and Wednesday, arresting criminals from Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Canada and Australia — including the app’s 32-year-old mastermind.

Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle said law enforcement agencies from nine countries were involved in the international operation.

“Today we have made it clear that no matter how hidden criminal networks are, they will not escape our joint efforts,” she said.

The police agency is expected to provide an update on the case on Wednesday.

The Ghost app — a sort of WhatsApp for criminals — was created nine years ago and could only be accessed via modified smartphones that sold for about A$2,350 ($1,590).

The high price included a six-month subscription to the Ghost app and technical support, Australian police said on Wednesday, and users were required to purchase an ongoing subscription.

The French gendarmerie traced the creator to Australia and joined forces with local police to raid the platform.

The app’s creator regularly released software updates — the same ones needed for mobile phones — but in 2022, Australian police were able to modify these updates and access content on the devices.

For two years, authorities watched as Ghost grew in popularity and criminals exchanged messages — including 50 life threats that Australian police say they prevented.

In one case, Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Kirsty Schofield said police captured an image of a person with a gun to his head and he was rescued within an hour.

Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney said on Wednesday that gaining access to encrypted messages posed a “particularly significant challenge”.

“Yes, we have had success, but I think the threat and challenge are still there,” he said.

Ghost has been installed on 376 phones in Australia.

McCartney said the 32-year-old app creator from New South Wales lives with his parents and has no criminal history.

The “computer geek” was motivated by profit and was “a bit surprised” when police arrested him on Tuesday, McCartney said.

Schofield added that police had to act quickly because the man had the opportunity to “clear communications on the system.”

“So it was very important that we were able to enter this home quickly and that our tactical teams were able to secure the home and the devices within 30 seconds of entry,” she said.

A 32-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday and charged with five offences, including supporting a criminal organisation, which carries a sentence of up to three years in prison.

A further 38 people were arrested across Australia.