FBI's Secret Encrypted Phone Network Snares 800 Suspects Worldwide

The FBI ran its own encrypted device company called ANOM for over 18 months, intercepting 27 million criminal messages. At least 800 people were arrested globally.

FBI's Secret Encrypted Phone Network Snares 800 Suspects Worldwide

FBI-Run Encrypted Phone Trap Leads to 800 Arrests in Three-Year Global Operation

The FBI secretly developed and operated its own encrypted communications company — called ANOM — to intercept criminal networks worldwide, The New York Times reports. Over the course of more than 18 months, agents monitored, recorded and translated over 27 million messages exchanged between criminal users across 45 languages, culminating in at least 800 arrests.

Criminal organizations purchased and distributed ANOM devices believing the platform had been designed specifically to evade law enforcement. Distributors openly marketed the handsets as "designed by criminals, for criminals." Instead, every conversation passed through FBI systems.

"The criminals using these devices believed they were secretly planning crimes far beneath the radar of law enforcement," a senior official said at a press conference. "But in reality, the criminals were not underneath the radar. They were on it."

A federal grand jury in San Diego indicted 17 foreign nationals on RICO charges for their roles in distributing thousands of ANOM devices to criminal organizations. Prosecutors allege the group facilitated drug trafficking, money laundering and obstruction of justice.

Officials described the volume of intelligence gathered as "staggering." Seizures included drugs, firearms and millions of dollars across multiple currencies. Investigators also said they were able to intervene in more than 150 threats to life during the course of the operation.

The three-year sting spanned multiple continents and involved coordination with foreign law enforcement partners. The 17 defendants named in the San Diego indictment represent what prosecutors called the most prolific marketers and sellers within the ANOM distribution network.

Source: The New York Times