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Operation Trojan Shield. Where were we?

(13 Posts)
Dinahmo Tue 08-Jun-21 10:27:58

News is coming through about a sting operation mounted by the FBI in conjunction with Australia. This involved the infiltration and takeover of encrypted networks used by criminals. Europol and some other countries were involved but where was the UK? As far as I can tell, the UK was not involved in this operation.

Tons of drugs, millions of dollars and jewellery were found and also, more sinister, death threats against several people.
Hundreds of people have been arrested.

MerylStreep Tue 08-Jun-21 10:37:59

Dinahmo
I’m afraid your wrong in your assumption.
As we are part of the 5 eyes partnership we were very much involved. www.banburycake.co.uk/news/national/19356464.criminals-australia-new-zealand-tricked-using-fbi-run-messaging-app/

PippaZ Tue 08-Jun-21 10:42:15

I caught the tale end of this Dinahmo. It seems they have been able to crack down on a great deal of organised crime. This is a recording of the International Press Conference. It starts at 14:15

Dinahmo Tue 08-Jun-21 11:25:21

Thank you for letting my know. I'm pleased.

Parsley3 Tue 08-Jun-21 13:23:01

What a clever sting this was. A brilliant example of the effectiveness and importance of international cooperation.

Visgir1 Tue 08-Jun-21 16:51:18

Wasn't there a similar thing that was cracked in Europe last summer?
Those poor people who died in that lorry in Kent. The gangs involved all linked via encrypted phones from a specialist server, on this occasion people smuggling into UK and Ireland hence the convictions. It became a Domino effect and a European sing happened.
Recent full article in Sunday Times, how they tracked via interpol, amazing.

Aveline Tue 08-Jun-21 16:55:40

Very good work all round outsmarting these criminals.

Namsnanny Tue 08-Jun-21 17:10:02

Let's wait and see how many get prosecuted and how high up the chain they are first.
I do wonder what the point of broadcasting this was.
Afterall now details of the operation are in the public domain. I dont imagine the criminals will fall for the same trick again.
Apparently the UK didn't have many criminals using the system, so there weren't many arrests here.

MerylStreep Tue 08-Jun-21 17:19:36

Namsnanny
746 criminals were arrested in the uk through this operation last July. Not bad going.

Aveline Tue 08-Jun-21 18:20:16

Excellent result MerylStreep

Namsnanny Wed 09-Jun-21 10:59:39

Yes I agree MerylStreep.
I realise I come across as a miserable s..grin
I readily accept I'm sceptical of the reasons to announce this operation.

Doodledog Wed 09-Jun-21 11:02:49

I love this story. I hope they make a TV drama about it - I wonder if the app could have caught H before the last series of Line Of Duty grin.

Namsnanny Thu 10-Jun-21 13:35:47

Probably Doodledog, but think of all the enjoyment we would have missed out on!