Photos shared on social media platforms may contain fingerprint data!
In a significant breakthrough, Operation Venetic, led by the National Crime Agency, has resulted in the arrest of 750 criminals across the UK. The operation, which targeted the encrypted messaging app EncroChat, disrupted a vast network of organised crime, seizing 77 weapons, 55 luxury vehicles, over 2 tons of drugs, and around $68 million in cash.
EncroChat, with around 60,000 users worldwide and 10,000 in the UK, was a popular platform for many involved in illegal activities. One such user was Stewart, whose account 'Toffeforce' was used to coordinate the sale of various illegal substances. Stewart's account was traced, and fingerprints on a photo linked back to him. He confessed to his crimes and was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
The challenge for the police in Operation Venetic was linking user names (aliases) to real individuals. However, in some cases, photos shared on the app provided crucial evidence. For instance, in 2010, a photo of a rare watch worn by a suspect led to their arrest and sentencing to 10 months in prison in Manchester. Similarly, in 2018, detectives in Bridgend, Wales, used a photo shared on WhatsApp to arrest 11 members of a criminal gang.
The success of Operation Venetic is not a new approach for the British police. In a press statement, Wilkinson mentioned that similar methods have been used before for arrests. The photo analysis via an encrypted messenger app proved to be a valuable tool in identifying members of the criminal network.
The organisation behind this news platform is not just a hobbyist but a professional team. They choose Evolutionary Anthropology as their sole profession because it requires a significant amount of time and resources, which they cannot dedicate if they were to pursue their main professions. However, the financial support generated from Evolutionary Anthropology is their primary source of income. If they cannot sustain this income, they may be forced to leave Evolutionary Anthropology and return to their main professions.
In an unusual turn of events, the organisation's founder, Carl Stewart, found a moldy Stilton cheese in a high-end English market and shared a photo of it on an encrypted messaging app often used by wholesalers. While this incident did not lead to any arrests, it serves as a reminder of the diverse activities that can be traced through such platforms.
Operation Venetic is a testament to the power of technology and collaboration in combating organised crime. As the landscape of criminal activities continues to evolve, so too will the methods used by law enforcement agencies to protect the public.
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