https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europ ... t-100.html 18.09.2024 16:56 Uhr
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Murders, money laundering, drugs: Criminal activities were planned worldwide via the “Ghost” messenger. International authorities listened in for years - and prevented crimes. Now the app has been completely exposed.
Europol has paralyzed an encrypted messaging service in a global police operation. “Ghost” is said to have been used by criminals worldwide to plan drug deals and violent crimes. The operation is considered to be the biggest strike against the communication of organized crime in three years.
Representatives of the police authority gave details today in The Hague. “This is just the beginning,” announced Europol Executive Director Chaterine de Bolle. “We will work together to fight organized crime wherever it is active”.
This was preceded by a joint operation by police authorities from nine countries. In addition to Europol, the US Federal Police and security authorities from Australia were also involved. It was there that access was gained - and the infiltrated app was exposed.
Yesterday, the police stormed the apartment where the parents of a 32-year-old man lived. He is said to have developed a kind of WhatsApp for criminals - with the telling name “Ghost”. Hundreds of buyers from the underworld believed the promise of perfect encryption, which had long since been cracked by the police.
The app could only be accessed via modified smartphones. The fee: 1,600 euros for six months. According to Europol today, users had to commit to an unlimited subscription.
The French police located the server in Australia. Europol used an update to connect - and secretly read along for two years. During this time, the police were able to prevent 50 murders that were to be commissioned and organized via the app, according to the investigators.
A drug lab was unearthed. Weapons, drugs and cash worth millions were confiscated and around 40 suspects were arrested yesterday and today. The arrests were made in Australia, Canada, Sweden, Ireland and Italy.
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Europol announced further actions against suspicious messenger services within the next 12 months.
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