International law enforcement operation dismantled criminal communication platform Ghost

An international law enforcement operation infiltrated the encrypted messaging app Ghost, which was widely used by criminals, resulting in the arrest of dozens of individuals.

An international law enforcement operation infiltrated the encrypted communications app Ghost, designed for criminal use, leading to numerous arrests. The alleged administrator of the app, Jay Je Yoon Jung (32), was charged with supporting a criminal organization and profiting from illegal activities. Jung remains in custody.

Ghost encrypted messaging platform was created about nine years ago, but it became a target for law enforcement in 2022.

The Ghost app supports advanced security features, it allowed thousands of customers subscribing the service by paying in cryptocurrency. The app supported three layers of encryption and message self-destruction system that erased messages from both the sender’s and recipient’s devices.

The app was promoted in the crime ecosystem through a widespread network of resellers. The modified smartphones were sold for around $2,350, which included a six-month subscription to the encrypted network and tech support.

The task force, created by Europol and led by FBI and French Gendarmerie, was code named OTF NEXT. OTF NEXT includes the AFP, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Swedish Police Authority, Dutch National Police, Irish Garda Síochána and the Italian Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Service. The Icelandic Police also supported the operation.

“Europol and Eurojust, together with law enforcement and judicial authorities from around the world, have successfully dismantled an encrypted communication platform that was established to facilitate serious and organised crime perpetrated by dangerous criminal networks operating on a global scale.” reads the report published by Europol. “The platform, known as Ghost, was used as a tool to carry out a wide range of criminal activities, including large-scale drug trafficking, money laundering, instances of extreme violence and other forms of serious and organised crime.”

According to Europol’s press release, globally, approximately 1,000 messages are exchanged daily on the Ghost app.

Australian police, which took part in the operation, arrested 38 suspects in raids across four states, with additional arrests made in Canada, Sweden, Ireland, and Italy. The suspects, including members of various organized crime groups, allegedly used the Ghost app for criminal activities like drug trafficking and ordering killings. Police intervened in 50 cases of potential violence, monitoring 125,000 messages and 120 video calls since March.

The Australian AFP revealed that the police were able to compromise the update mechanism used by the app and push out tainted updates to compromise the customers’ devices.

“The administrator regularly pushed out software updates, just like the ones needed for normal mobile phones. But the AFP was able to modify those updates, which basically infected the devices, enabling the AFP to access the content on devices in Australia.” reads the press release published by AFP.

Most of the alleged offenders who used Ghost are in NSW, however Ghost users are also in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT.

“Today we have made it clear that no matter how hidden criminal networks think they are, they can’t evade our collective effort. Law enforcement from 9 countries, together with Europol, have dismantled a tool which was a lifeline for serious organised crime. This operation is what Europol is all about: turning collaboration into concrete results by bringing together the right people, tools and expertise to address every aspect of this complex operation.” said Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle. “The work carried out is part of our ongoing commitment to tackling organised crime wherever it operates. I want to extend my gratitude to all our global partners who played a vital role in making this operation a success.”

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Ghost)