Earlier this week, Europol disclosed that they have taken down the EncroChat encrypted mobile communications platform. The recent takedown has resulted in the arrest of more than 6,600 individuals and the seizure of $979 million of ill-gotten wealth.
EncroChat phones operate a special and hardened Android version that offers users unbreakable anonymity, traceability, and encryption capabilities. The service also provides sketchy tools like message self-destruction features, tamper-spoofing booting, panic device wiping, and brute force resistance.
These capabilities attracted numerous criminals since they could aid them with their illegal activities. Therefore, the developers offer their tool for $1,635 for a half-a-year subscription with global coverage and 24/7 customer support. Moreover, the threat actors also sold the EncroChat phones for a one-time payment of about $1,100.
The coordinated operation in Europe uncovered the illegal activities in EncroChat.
A massive European law enforcement operation has infiltrated the messaging platform. Based on the initial investigation, there are millions of messages shared between its users after the authorities breached its encryption algorithm.
The initial investigation has resulted in the coordination of several European nations to arrest nearly 7,000 people that used EncroChat. One hundred ninety-seven of the detained individuals are high-value targets.
These arrests became possible after the authorities analysed 115 million conversations between approximately 60,000 platform users. In addition, the law enforcement agencies managed to identify and confiscate 971 vehicles, 270 tons of drugs, 271 properties, 923 weapons, 40 planes, 83 boats and 68 explosives.
Furthermore, the police seized over $800 million of ill-gotten wealth and froze another $168 million. According to Europol, most EncroChat users have been members or affiliates of illegal operations, such as organised crimes, drug traffickers, money launderers, murderers, and firearms trafficking.
The arrested individuals have been convicted of 7,000 years of imprisonment, and most have yet to receive their sentence. Unfortunately, the previous users of EncroChat have transferred to an alternative service named Sky ECC. This platform also offers the same capabilities as the recently shut down EncroChat, but the authorities have yet to investigate the service.
