Hundreds arrested in FBI-led global organized crime sting using messaging app

Rebecca Falconer
·1 min read

An FBI-led sting using an encrypted messaging app has resulted in the arrests of hundreds of suspected organized crime figures around the world, authorities in Australia announced Tuesday.

Driving the news: Authorities decided to use the An0m messaging app to track suspects globally in an investigation called Operation Ironside after Aussie police officers and FBI agents came up with idea while having some after-work beers in 2018, according to Australian police.

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  • Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw said at a briefing Tuesday that suspected "Australian mafia, Asian crime syndicates," drug traffickers and members of outlawed motorcycle gangs, were among 224 people arrested in the country.

  • Hundreds other suspects were arrested in raids in places including New Zealand, Asia, South America and the Middle East.

What they're saying: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said at the briefing the operation "has struck a heavy blow against organized crime ... one that will echo around organized crime around the world."

  • Kershaw said at the news conference that the FBI "had the lead on this," while Aussie police "provided the technical capability to decrypt those messages."

  • "Some of the best ideas come over a couple of beers," he added.

What to watch: The FBI and its European counterpart Europol will announce their own findings later Tuesday, said Anthony Russo, FBI legal attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Australia.

Editor's note: This a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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