Australian police seize $6.4 million in crypto in international operation

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has announced that it seized AUD 9.3 million (USD 6.4 million) following the arrest of the alleged mastermind behind Ghost, an encrypted communication platform used by criminals.

Police stated that they were able to decipher the codes required to access crypto assets after obtaining access to "digital devices" found in the arrested man's home. The 32-year-old was taken into custody on September 17th and charged with five offenses, including supporting a criminal organization.

Authorities allege that the nine-year-old Ghost platform "was built solely for the criminal underworld."

According to police, the platform was used for trafficking illicit drugs, money laundering, ordering killings, or threatening serious violence. They also claimed to have prevented about 50 threats to kill or harm individuals.

"Law enforcement has once again infiltrated a criminal platform and outsmarted organized crime," police added, citing other dismantled platforms such as EncroChat, Sky Global, Phantom Secure, and AN0M.

Investigators said they were able to modify updates pushed by Ghost's administrator, which gave them access to the content on devices in Australia.

“The lives of many serious criminals dramatically changed when they realized their phones – and those who vouched for them – had betrayed them. The Commissioner warned organized crime that the AFP would come for them again, and at scale. That time is now," AFP Deputy Commissioner Ian McCartney was quoted as saying.

This arrest was part of Operation Kraken, during which 700 police officers searched premises in Australia, while simultaneous operations were conducted in Ireland, Italy, Sweden, and Canada.

Following the investigation, nearly 50 alleged Australian offenders have been accused of using Ghost and are now facing charges, including possible prison sentences.

In total, AUD 11.9 million worth of assets have been seized, with AUD 2.4 million of that amount in cash.