Through the encrypted chat app Anom, developed by the FBI, authorities have been able to infiltrate criminal networks around the world for several years.
The chat platform has had about 12,000 user accounts and in recent days 800 people have been arrested and more than eight tons of cocaine, 250 firearms, 55 luxury vehicles and the equivalent of over 48 million dollars have been seized during raids in a number of different countries, using the intercepted messages.
Swedish is charged with two key roles
The FBI developed and administered the chat platform and now 17 people, one of them a Swede, are being prosecuted in the United States for spreading it to criminals.
It appears in an indictment filed in San Diego on May 28, but which has been kept secret until recently.
The FBI points out the Swede, a 37-year-old man with dual citizenship, as one of three administrators who, among other things, were able to remotely delete telephones and add and delete users.
But he was also singled out as one of four "influencers" who sold the Anom units to other criminals.
The indictment states that he and the other three have "a reputation for their knowledge and expertise regarding encrypted devices", that they have "a huge impact on getting others to use a certain type of encrypted devices" and that they are well known with the police, with power and influence over other criminals.
Eight out of 17 arrested
The indictment also states that they marketed the platform as "built by criminals for criminals" unaware that it was built under the auspices of the FBI, as part of the international police operation "Trojan Shield".
Eight of the 17 accused were arrested on Monday, but nine are still in custody.
Including the Swede.
He now lives in Turkey, just like the one most responsible for spreading the encrypted phones, according to the indictment.
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60 seconds on surgery: Trojan Shield Photo: TT