DREAM / The Prime Minister resigns and wakes up under the Parisian bridge!

 Kliko këtu për të tjera
Voxpress:

Crime in panic/ After Sky Ecc and Enchrochat, Europol: We have broken down the "Matrix" application, 2.3 million messages in 33 languages ​​are released

2024-12-03 13:53:19Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Crime in panic/ After Sky Ecc and Enchrochat, Europol: We have broken down the

A joint operation by France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Lithuania and Spain has led to the dismantling of another application used by crime, specifically the "Matrix" platform. At around 13:00 on December 3, Europol has announced the end of this successful operation that has led to the decryption of more than 2.3 million messages in 33 languages. This is the 5th decrypted app after Sky ECc, Encrochat, Exclu and Ghost.

As Europol announces: “Authorities are keeping tabs on the encrypted messaging services that criminals use to carry out their activities. A joint investigation team (JIT) involving French and Dutch authorities has taken down another sophisticated encrypted messaging service, MATRIX. For three months, authorities were able to monitor messages from potential criminals, which will now be used to support other investigations. During a coordinated operation supported by Eurojust and Europol, the messaging service was taken down by the Dutch and French authorities and follow-up actions were executed by their Italian, Lithuanian and Spanish counterparts."

MATRIX, a messaging service made by criminals for criminals, was first discovered by Dutch authorities on the phone of a criminal convicted of murdering a Dutch journalist in 2021. A large-scale investigation into the messaging service was launched.

It soon became clear that the infrastructure of this platform was technically more complex than previous platforms such as Sky Ecc and EncroChat. The founders were convinced that the service was superior and more secure than previous applications used by criminals. Users could only join the service if they received an invitation. The infrastructure to run MATRIX consisted of more than 40 servers in several countries with important servers located in France and Germany.

The cooperation between the Dutch and French authorities started through an EPH set up at Eurojust. Using innovative technology, authorities were able to intercept the messaging service and monitor activity on the service for three months. More than 2.3 million messages in 33 languages ​​were intercepted and decrypted during the investigation.

The intercepted messages relate to serious crimes such as international drug trafficking, arms trafficking and money laundering.

Actions to take down the service and pursue serious criminals took place on December 3 in four countries. In France, a suspect was arrested and his home searched. In Spain, two suspects were arrested following a European arrest warrant from the Netherlands and six homes were searched.

Six houses were searched in Lithuania. The main servers in France and Germany were taken down. Criminals using the messaging service are notified of interception by authorities through a splash page. Through legal requirements, authorities will now be able to access messages for their investigations.

The cross-border investigation into MATRIX is a clear example of the importance of international cooperation to combat serious organized crime. By working together in an EPH, the Dutch and French authorities were able to exchange information and evidence rapidly and carry out joint actions. To support investigations into illegal activities enabled by this communication platform, an Operational Task Force (OTF) was established at Europol in June 2024 between the Netherlands, France, Lithuania, Italy and Spain.

This task force played a key role in monitoring criminal activity on the platform. Europol's OTF will also provide assistance with independent follow-up investigations arising from intelligence gathered during the live phase of the operation. German authorities supported the operation with their technical expertise. Spanish authorities have been working with their French and Dutch counterparts since the early stages of the investigation.

The landscape of encrypted communication has become more fragmented after the removal of several services such as Sky Ecc, EncroChat, Exclu and Ghost. Criminals, in response to disruptions to their messaging services, have turned to a variety of less sophisticated or custom-built communication tools that offer varying degrees of security and anonymity. While the new fragmented landscape presents challenges for law enforcement, the removal of established communication channels shows that authorities are on top of the latest technologies that criminals are using."


Në përputhje me standarded JTI

Video

SHIKO KANALIN NE YOUTUBE
×