The Australian Federal Police (AFP) recently made headlines with the successful international operation known as Operation Kraken, which led to the takedown of Ghost – a notorious encrypted communication platform used by organized crime groups worldwide. This platform was allegedly involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, organized killings, and various other illegal activities.
The mastermind behind Ghost, a 32-year-old man from New South Wales, Australia, was arrested on September 17 and now faces multiple charges. The raid involved a collaboration between the AFP and eight other law enforcement agencies around the world, coordinated by a Europol international task force.
Ghost was a crimeware-only messaging app that provided a secure communication channel exclusively for criminal organizations. The app was created in 2015 and distributed through a network of resellers, with a modified smartphone provided to users for about AUD$2350. At the time of the operation, there were 376 active handsets in Australia, with most users located in New South Wales.
While Ghost was not as widespread as some other encrypted platforms that have been disrupted in the past, Europol’s Operations Director Jean-Philippe Lecouffe highlighted that it still had a global presence and attracted significant criminal groups. The market for such crimeware tools has become more fragmented, with smaller networks replacing larger ones as they are targeted by law enforcement.
The investigation into Ghost began in early 2022 when the Swedish Police Authority sought assistance from international partners. Europol subsequently set up a task force, OTF NEXT, led by the FBI and the French Gendarmerie, with involvement from agencies such as the AFP, RCMP, and others. Over three years, partners collaborated to map out the network, identify suppliers and users, and track down the infrastructure supporting Ghost.
In 2024, the AFP successfully infiltrated Ghost through a supply chain attack, enabling them to access content on devices in Australia. This led to the execution of search warrants and arrests in multiple countries, including Ireland, Italy, Sweden, and Canada.
The operation resulted in 71 search warrants, intervention in 50 threats to life, prevention of over 200kg of illicit drugs from reaching the community, and the seizure of 25 firearms. Up to 50 Australian offenders accused of using Ghost are facing serious charges, with more arrests expected in the coming days.
The takedown of Ghost marks a significant milestone in the fight against organized crime, demonstrating the effectiveness of international collaboration in combating illicit activities. As law enforcement agencies continue to target criminal networks, the message is clear – no criminal enterprise is beyond reach. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.