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An Iraq-based organised crime gang responsible for Melbourne’s tobacco wars is also a prime suspect in the three-month campaign of firebombings, shootings and kidnappings targeting the city’s hospitality industry.
The gang, which is making threats on behalf of “the Cartel”, includes a 23-year-old Australian national living in Baghdad who is already wanted in Australia over the attempted murder of underworld figure Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim and was a key member of the crime syndicate headed by Kaz Hamad.
An encrypted message sent by the gang last week to multiple venue owners warned the campaign of violence was intended to take their businesses, families, and their “souls”.
“We will take it by force if you don’t comply the police can’t help you its inevitable we won’t stop till we get what we want,” it read.
Detectives from the recently formed Operation Eclipse are aware of the messages from “the Cartel”, which were sent from a US telephone number, but originated in Iraq, according to three police and underworld sources who would not be named.
The motive for the attacks remains unclear, but commander Chris Murray from Operation Eclipse recently cast doubt on reports that the supply of discounted or illicit alcohol was the likely cause of the violence.
“[The illicit alcohol theory] doesn’t fit with Gotham City and other [targeted] venues. It’s something flying in the ether – but it’s information, not evidence,” Murray said during a police briefing to the industry last week.
Gotham City, a South Melbourne brothel, does not hold a liquor licence.
The arson detective said during the briefing that he believed an extortion demand would be made at some point with the aim of forcing venue owners to pay a “tax” akin to the demands made on those selling illicit tobacco.
The potential involvement of Iraqi-based criminals makes any attempt by law enforcement agencies to stop the violence even more complicated.
The Age has confirmed that police are examining links between the recent spate of firebombings and a young associate of Hamad who has spent almost four years in Iraq.
The 23-year-old has been the subject of an Interpol blue notice since he fled to the Middle East the day after the failed hit on Abdulrahim, who was repeatedly shot outside a funeral in Fawkner in June 2022 and was ultimately killed in 2025.
The man was allegedly contracted by Hamad and Hamad’s cousin Ahmed Al Hamza to carry out the 2022 hit.
He has been in Iraq ever since and became a close associate of Hamad after the gangland boss was released from jail and deported to Iraq in July 2023.
The police sources, who cannot discuss active investigations, believe the gang is accessing the encrypted network established by Hamad and his gang, the 313s, to wage the tobacco war that has plagued Melbourne for almost three years.
As well as using the 313s’ connections to carry out its crimes, the Cartel shares much of the same member base.
The platform enables the gang to securely and anonymously order firebombings and shootings that are tasked to street-gang members, sometimes for as little as a few hundred dollars.
The bespoke app was pioneered by Hamad in 2024. It allowed high-ranking gangland figures to anonymously offer “jobs” – shootings, firebombings, home invasions, car thefts – on a kind of encrypted notice board akin to the popular AirTasker app.
The heads of street crews accept the contracts and then assign gang members, who are often teenagers, to complete the illegal missions.
Hamad was arrested in his native Iraq in January following intelligence provided by the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police to local authorities. The 42-year-old has since disappeared into an Iraqi prison and his current situation remains unknown.
The gang targeting Melbourne’s nightclub scene is particularly ruthless; ordering several kidnappings, assaults and shootings of owners and promoters while partners and children were present.
The Age can reveal another man wanted by police over his alleged involvement in the shooting of Abdulrahim in 2022 was murdered by the gang in Iraq after planning to return to Australia and face justice, according to the police and underworld sources.
More than 30 firebombings, shootings, home invasions and kidnappings have been linked to the reign of terror targeting nightclubs and restaurants over the past three months.
Police have previously insisted that they, and owners co-operating with their investigation, have received no specific demands, leading to widespread fear and confusion.
Victoria Police released a statement on Monday, but would not confirm it was investigating the Iraq-based gang.
“Operation Eclipse was established last month to target a range of serious and organised crime syndicates believed to be involved in a series of offending linked to hospitality venues, as well as determining the motive for these attacks,” a police spokeswoman said.
“Police remain open to a range of possibilities in relation to the motive and we encourage anyone with information to come forward.”
The 18 targeted venues have so far been concentrated in the nightlife precincts of South Melbourne, Southbank, the CBD and Chapel Street surrounds.
The targets have included The Emerson, The Osborne, famed bistro France-Soir, popular city club Bar Bambi, Left Bank bar, Platform 1, and The Albion.
Two strip clubs – Men’s Gallery and Kittens – and Gotham City, the South Melbourne brothel, have also been targeted.
Two more attempted attacks were carried out on Monday in Prahran. Police arrested five people carrying jerry cans near Greville Street in a stolen Mazda with false plates. It is not clear which venue police believe the accused teenagers were targeting.
Electric Bar, a Chapel Street venue under the same ownership as The Emerson, was also targeted in a separate ram-raid about an hour after the teens were intercepted. Police arrived to the scene after the offenders had smashed a white Mercedes into the premises before fleeing.
Bar Bambi, The Emerson, Kittens, Men’s Gallery and Left Bank have all been targeted more than once.
The co-ordinated attacks escalated over the weekend when The Albion co-owner Dominic Porter was shot at during a targeted attack on his Pakenham home, while his partner and children were present.
The escalation and uncertainty around the motivation has exacerbated the panic among owners, promoters and industry figures.
Several more industry people have gone into hiding since the attacks began, with some seeking refuge at Airbnb properties and safe houses.
Owners have fortified their venues with bolstered security measures. A 12-metre truck has been parked outside The Emerson’s entrance since the club was shot at while patrons were inside.
Last week, detectives revealed they believed that six attacks carried out over five days in April – including two attempted kidnappings and several aggravated home invasions – were aimed at nightclub promoters running the popular Alumbra event on Saturday nights at the Albion.
In one incident, a Malvern man was mistakenly kidnapped and assaulted, in what detectives believe was a botched attempt to attack a prominent promoter.
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Carla Jaeger is a journalist for The Age. Got a tip? Email carla.jaeger@theage.com.au or message carlajaeger.62 on Signal.Connect via X or email.From our partners
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