AFP investigation puts a question mark over thousands of arrests

The AFP have been gatekeepers of information concerning TROJAN RAT Stalking software, how widespread its use is and what it can do. They have been in possession of this knowledge since 2020. The courts, criminal defence lawyers and the justice system as a whole, relies on public organisations like the AFP to share such knowledge, immediately, otherwise how can we guarantee fairness and justice for those accused of crimes?

According to a recent AFP media release, the AFP have been working hard to dismantle TROJAN RAT Stalking software networks. A joint 4-year investigation with the FBI offered unique insight into TROJAN RAT Stalking software, in particular, the threat of stalkers and hackers gaining full control of their victim's devices and using the device to interfere with SMS and e-mail communication without the owner's knowledge or consent.

TROJAN RAT Stalking software gives stalkers full control over a device, offering a user-friendly interface that enables them to perform nearly any action on the device. They can monitor all activity, fabricate SMS & email, upload and download digital content, transfer files, use the device for criminal activities, access sensitive information, and operate the camera and microphone at will. Computers, tablets, and mobile phones are all susceptible to TROJAN RAT Stalking software, allowing stalkers to:

• View the victim's phone screen in real time  

• Look through the phone camera  

• View all content  

• Send and block SMS content  

• Change settings  

• Upload and delete content  

• Draft and send e-mails  

• Make calls  

• Access and utilise apps  

• Take screenshots and photos  

• Edit images  

• Upload and download photos 

According to their annual report, the AFP alone, make around 744 arrests annually. This equates to approximately 2,976 AFP arrests since the AFP commenced their investigation into the TROJAN RAT Stalking threat in 2020. 

SMS messages, emails and other electronic communication have likely been presented as primary evidence in several of the 2,976 arrests. Withholding evidence from the court, such as intimate knowledge of TROJAN RAT Stalking technology, is a crime in Australia given the AFP were the gatekeepers of the information.

It is both unjust and immoral for the AFP to neglect to share their intimate knowledge about the scale and potential impact of TROJAN RAT Stalking software on electronic communications with the court. It is the responsibility of all parties to ensure a fair trial and the AFP knew that evidence they presented to convict accused persons in the form of SMS, email and other digital content could have easily been compromised by TROJAN RAT Stalking software. For the AFP to be the only party in the courtroom to hold important information relating to the reliability of evidence is unjust. The judge, even the defence lawyers of the accused would not have known about TROJAN RAT Stalking Software threat given the AFP were the gatekeepers of the information and their investigations classified until the recent announcement by Commander Sue Evans.

The AFP would be aware that 293,000 of the 22.5 million global installs of Trojan RAT Stalking software have occurred on Australian shores. It is estimated that there are 1,467,000 victims of stalking via Trojan RAT Stalking software in Australia annually. Currently 5% of Australians are impacted by Trojan RAT Stalking software.   

Glenn Hall is a former advertising executive turned freelance communications consultant. Glenn has a fresh perspective on topical issues and a unique way of viewing the world.   With diverse interests, no topic is out of reach and Glenn will be sure to challenge your thinking.