The dismantling of the encrypted communications tool EncroChat, widely used by organized crime groups (OCGs), has led to 6 558 arrests worldwide, Europol announced. 197 of those arrested were High-Value Targets. The successful takedown of EncroChat followed the efforts of a joint investigation team (JIT) set up France and Dutch law enforcement. Since then, nearly €900 million in criminal funds have been seized or frozen.
Background: EncroChat phones guaranteed perfect anonymity, discretion, and no traceability to users. It also had functions intended to ensure the automatic deletion of messages and a specific PIN code to delete all data on the device. This would allow users to quickly erase compromising messages, for example at the time of arrest by the police. In addition, the device could be erased from a distance by the reseller/helpdesk. EncroChat sold cryptotelephones for around €1 000 each.
OCGs worldwide illegally used the encryption tool EncroChat for criminal purposes. Since the dismantling, investigators have managed to intercept, share and analyze over 115 million criminal conversations by an estimated number of over 60,000 users. User hotspots were prevalent in source and destination countries for the trade in illicit drugs, as well as in money laundering centers.
The information obtained by the French and Dutch authorities was shared with their counterparts in EU Member States and third countries, at their request. Based on accumulated figures from all authorities involved, this led to the following results three years after the encryption was broken by law enforcement:
- 6 558 suspects arrested, amongst whom 197 High-Value Targets
- 7 134 years of imprisonment of convicted criminals up to now
- EUR 739.7 million in cash seized
- EUR 154.1 million frozen in assets or bank accounts
- 30.5 million pills of chemical drugs seized
- 103.5 tonnes of cocaine seized
- 163.4 tonnes of cannabis seized
- 3.3 tonnes of heroin seized
- 971 vehicles seized
- 271 estates or homes seized
- 923 weapons seized, as well as 21 750 rounds of ammunition and 68 explosives
- 83 boats and 40 planes seized
Europol has been supporting the case since 2018. A large, dedicated team of experts at Europol analyzed over 115 million messages and data it received from the JIT partners. Europol cross-checked and analyzed the data, combining it with information available in its information systems, and provided close to 700 actionable intelligence packages to countries worldwide.
To provide this extensive support, an Operational Taskforce (OTF), known as OTF EMMA was set up at Europol’s headquarters. This OTF brought together investigators and experts from Europol, Member States, and third countries under one roof to jointly work on the Encrochat data to investigate the world’s most dangerous criminals. Europol has since been supporting the spin-off investigations initiated across the world.
