"EncroChat Bust Leads to 6500 Arrests in Three Years"

Europol recently announced that dismantling an encrypted chat platform used by organized crime gangs (OCGs) has led to 6558 arrests in the past three years, including 197 "high-value targets." Europol noted that EncroChat was used by tens of thousands of criminals to communicate without fear of being snooped on by law enforcers.  Special devices were sold for $1095 each, and six-month subscriptions were priced at $548, featuring 24/7 support, remote wipe, and a PIN code to wipe the phone if apprehended.  Since EncroChat was infiltrated, police have analyzed over 115 million conversations from over 60,000 users worldwide, with Europol providing 700 "actionable intelligence packages" compiled from this information to investigators globally.  Over the past three years, law enforcers have seized 740m euros in cash, frozen 154m euros in assets or bank accounts, seized 31 million pills, 104 tonnes of cocaine, 163 tonnes of cannabis, and 3.3 tonnes of heroin, seized 923 weapons, 21,750 rounds of ammunition and 68 explosives, and seized 83 boats and 40 planes.  Europol stated that subsequent convictions have led to a total combined sentence of 7134 years of imprisonment.

Infosecurity reports: "EncroChat Bust Leads to 6500 Arrests in Three Years"