A Sydney man, Jay Je Yoon Jung, has been arrested in connection with leading a global organised crime network via the encrypted communications app ‘Ghost.’ The 32-year-old was apprehended at his Narwee home on Tuesday during a coordinated international crackdown targeting the platform.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has labelled Ghost as a tool built specifically for criminal activities, including drug trafficking and violent crime. The arrest follows a successful decryption effort by law enforcement, which led to charges against Jung for creating and running the app used by criminals worldwide.
For the first time, an Australian is accused of masterminding such a global illicit platform, with the AFP alleging Jung was responsible for overseeing the app and distributing specialized handsets to criminals. These handsets, worth approximately $2,350, were sold to users with a six-month subscription to Ghost, along with tech support.
The network reportedly reached across various international criminal organisations, including Italian and Middle Eastern organised crime groups, outlaw motorcycle gangs, and Korean syndicates. The AFP believes hundreds of criminals used Ghost in Australia and abroad to import drugs and even order killings.
Jung faces multiple charges, including supporting a criminal organisation and dealing with proceeds from illegal activities, which could lead to up to 20 years in prison. Additional arrests linked to Ghost-related syndicates are anticipated, with multiple individuals already detained across Australia.
The operation is part of ‘Operation Kraken,’ a global law enforcement initiative targeting encrypted crime networks. The AFP, alongside Europol and international agencies, executed a series of searches in Australia, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, and Canada, seizing illicit drugs and preventing violent plots.
As the investigation continues, the AFP remains committed to dismantling criminal networks using encrypted platforms and ensuring those responsible face justice.