Sky Global, a Vancouver-based encrypted phone company founded by Jean-Francois Eap, marketed itself as a privacy-focused tech startup. But investigations revealed its devices became a tool of choice for organized crime networks worldwide.
The company's flagship product, Sky ECC, offered ultra-secure phones with special features like remote wiping capabilities and encrypted messaging. While Sky claimed legitimate uses, police found their phones predominantly in criminal hands.
In 2021, European law enforcement cracked Sky's encryption, exposing extensive criminal communications. CEO Eap now faces charges in France and the US for allegedly facilitating drug trafficking through Sky phones.
Key findings show Sky's distribution network had deep criminal ties:
- Multiple Sky executives knew their phone resellers had criminal records but took no action
- One of Sky's biggest distributors was founded by three people convicted of violent crimes
- Local resellers were often connected to criminal networks, with some being convicted criminals themselves
- In Serbia, rival organized crime groups each had their own Sky phone dealers
The company operated through a complex network of distributors and resellers. While Sky had a website, phones could only be purchased in person with cash through authorized dealers until 2020. These dealers carefully vetted buyers to avoid law enforcement.
Sky phones cost over 1,000 euros and required knowing another user's PIN to communicate. The closed network had just 170,000 users compared to other encrypted platforms with hundreds of millions of users.
European investigators say they found virtually no legitimate users among Sky's customer base. The company spent minimal effort marketing to legitimate customers while its distribution network actively catered to criminal enterprises.
Despite claiming to combat misuse, Sky's compliance efforts appeared focused on preventing public references to criminal activity rather than stopping it. When criminal ties were reported internally, the company often took no meaningful action.
The case highlights how encrypted communication tools marketed for privacy can become powerful enablers of organized crime when companies turn a blind eye to how their products are being used.