Sydney Resident Operates Encrypted Communications Network, Remaining Anonymous
In a significant operation, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has dismantled an encrypted communication platform called Ghost, which allegedly served as a hub for hundreds of criminals across multiple Australian states and internationally.
The operation, known as Operation Kraken, was executed over two days in September 2024, with about 700 members conducting search warrants across four Australian states and territories. Simultaneous police action was taken in Ireland, Italy, Sweden, and Canada as part of the operation.
The AFP-led operation resulted in 38 arrests, 71 search warrants, preventing the supply of more than 200 kilograms of illicit drugs, seizing 25 illicit firearms/weapons, and intervening in 50 threats to life or threats to harm.
Jay Je Yoon Jung, a 32-year-old man from New South Wales, has been charged for creating and administering Ghost. He is appearing in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on charges including supporting a criminal organization, dealing with the proceeds of an indictable offence, dealing in identifying information, obtaining identification information using a carriage service, and contravening a requirement in a s.3LA order.
Ghost, which was allegedly used solely by the criminal underworld, was a modified smartphone platform sold for about AUD2,350. The price included a six-month subscription to an encrypted network and tech support. As of September 17, it was alleged that there were 376 active handsets of Ghost in Australia.
It is alleged that Australian offenders who used Ghost were involved in trafficking illicit drugs, money laundering, ordering killings, or threatening serious violence. The AFP was able to infiltrate Ghost by modifying software updates, enabling them to access content on devices in Australia.
The global task force OTF NEXT, led by the FBI and the French Gendarmerie, included international police agencies from the United States (FBI), France (Gendarmerie), Germany (Federal Police), the Netherlands (Dutch National Police), and other European law enforcement partners. Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle stated that this operation demonstrates their commitment to tackling organized crime wherever it operates.
This is the first time an Australian-based person stands accused of being an alleged mastermind and administrator of a global criminal platform, of which the AFP was able to decrypt and read messages. The AFP has warned organized crime that they will continue to come for them at scale.
Up to 50 alleged Australian offenders who used Ghost are facing serious charges, including significant prison sentences. The AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce obtained Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) Restraining Orders over Jung's assets, including various cryptocurrencies and bank accounts.
Operation Kraken is a follow-up to Operation Ironside, as revealed by Commissioner Reece Kershaw in 2021. The AFP has been working closely with Europol to establish a global task force, OTF NEXT, to target Ghost. This task force includes the AFP, FBI, French Gendarmerie, RCMP, Swedish Police Authority, Dutch National Police, Irish Garda Síochána, Italian Central Directorate for Anti-Drug Service, and the Icelandic Police.
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