An Australian man has been arrested for distributing the encrypted messaging app “Ghost”, popular among criminal organizations globally for organizing illegal activities like drug deals and violence. The app, marketed as “unhackable”, had users from Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia.
Developed by a 32-year-old Australian living in Sydney with his parents, the app was pre-loaded on encrypted phones that were hidden at secret locations for pickup. A joint effort by the FBI, Australian Federal Police, Canadian Mounted Police, French National Gendarmerie, and An Garda Síochána led to the network’s infiltration.
In September, arrests were made in several countries, including Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Canada, and Australia. Key player Jay Je Yoon Jung was apprehended as well. Authorities confiscated 42 Ghost encrypted devices in their international sweep.
The app, likened to a criminal version of WhatsApp, required modified smartphones costing around Aus$2,350 (€1,435) each. With thousands of users worldwide, around 1,000 messages were exchanged daily. In Australia alone, 376 phones were found with the Ghost app.
Learn more: Encrypted ‘Ghost’ app: What we know