Australia Europol: Criminal communication platform dismantled

According to Europol, international investigators have shut down a communication platform for international crime. Criminal gangs worldwide used the "Ghost" platform and its encryption techniques for massive drug trafficking, money laundering and extreme acts of violence.

This was announced by the European police authority in The Hague. According to Europol, a total of 51 suspects were arrested, including 38 in Australia. Further arrests are not ruled out. Drugs, weapons and around one million euros in cash were confiscated.

Even the most secret communications would have little chance against the international efforts, said Europol chief Catherine De Bolle. Investigators from nine countries were involved in the operation, but not Germany.

Ghost" servers were found in France and Iceland, the company's owners were discovered in Australia and funds in the USA. There had been several searches and technical interventions since the investigation began in spring 2022.

According to Europol, "Ghost" was attractive to crime gangs because of its sophisticated security precautions. These included triple encryption of messages and the automatic deletion of messages on cell phones. Several thousand people around the world had used the network. Every day, around 1000 messages were distributed via it.

Organized crime is using new encryption techniques on a large scale to ensure their safety from prosecution and their anonymity, the European police authority said.