An Australian man has been charged with distributing the encrypted messaging application known as “Ghost,” which is said to have been utilized by criminals around the globe for orchestrating drug deals and violence. Authorities revealed that the app, marketed to criminal organizations as “unhackable,” was employed by hundreds of suspected criminals across Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia.
The 32-year-old Australian developer, reportedly residing with his parents in suburban Sydney, is believed to have designed the app. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) announced the arrest of a 47-year-old man alleged to be a distributor of the Ghost app.
According to police, the accused had pre-loaded encrypted phones with the Ghost app before strategically placing them at “dead drops,” which are designated hiding spots for later collection. Global law enforcement agencies successfully infiltrated the Ghost network, monitoring communications among criminals that involved discussions of illicit drug trafficking, money laundering, homicides, and other serious violent crimes.
The international policing operation included cooperation between the FBI, the AFP, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the French National Gendarmerie, and An Garda Síochána in Ireland. In a series of coordinated actions in September, authorities arrested individuals from various countries, including Italy, Ireland, Sweden, Canada, and Australia, with Jay Je Yoon Jung identified as the alleged “mastermind” behind the app.
As part of this extensive investigation, Gardaí reported the seizure of 42 “Ghost” encrypted devices. Ghost, described as a criminal version of WhatsApp, was created approximately nine years ago and could only be accessed through modified smartphones, which were sold for around AUD 2,350.
French authorities traced the creator’s location to Australia, prompting collaboration with local police to dismantle the platform. According to Europol, the app boasted several thousand users worldwide, with approximately 1,000 messages exchanged daily. Notably, there were 376 phones equipped with the Ghost app reported in Australia alone.
The ongoing investigation underscores the challenges law enforcement agencies face in combating encrypted communication tools that criminals exploit for illicit activities. The charges against the Australian man highlight a significant step in efforts to disrupt the operations of organized crime networks utilizing advanced technology.