Bar owners targeted in a spate of firebombings across Melbourne have begun receiving extortion demands for $10,000 a month as the city’s so-called bar wars continue to rage.
The demand says targeted businesses will be removed from “the list of destruction” for one month upon sending proof of payment.
“For those who I have sent this message. Your payment of 10k per month starts today. Hurry the f— up. Once screenshot has been sent ur [sic] name is removed off the list of destruction for the month,” the message reads.
The payment is to be made to the United Nations’ World Food Program.
Police from Operation Eclipse – the unit investigating Melbourne’s ongoing bar wars – are examining the threat to establish if it is authentic or a scam.
Some of the venue owners received other messages earlier this month, including one which read: “We’re after you, your family, your business, your homes and souls … We will take it by force if you don’t comply the police can’t help you its [sic] inevitable we won’t stop till [sic] we get what we want.”
Another message read: “Now for those who want to get out of line. This is just the start and nowhere near the end and we will hurt you in ways your brain can’t comprehend. Those who are running towards the hills we will be there as well burning the hills till nowhere is safe.”
In recent weeks there has been a pause in the almost nightly spate of firebombings, leading police to believe an extortion demand would be made. They see it as a softening-up process.
Since February there have been 40 firebombings, shootings, home invasions and kidnappings linked to attacks on Melbourne’s nightlife industry, and about 50 arrests.
Detective Inspector Chris Murray told an industry meeting he believed an extortion demand would soon be made in the same way organised crime boss Kazem ‘Kaz’ Hamad levied a “tax” on retailers selling his illicit tobacco.
Earlier this month, The Age confirmed that police are examining links between the firebombings and a member of Hamad’s cartel now living in Iraq.
Police are investigating the allegation that the 23-year-old suspect was part of the team that carried out a failed hit on Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim in June 2022, when Abdulrahim was ambushed and repeatedly shot outside a funeral in Fawkner.
Underworld sources claim the suspect has found religion and speculate he is targeting “sinful” Melbourne venues – including bars, brothels and strip clubs.
Victoria Police have made multiple arrests of teenage offenders allegedly tasked with carrying out firebombings and the abduction of bar owners.
The young “soldiers” cannot help identify the main offenders or the motive as they have been recruited anonymously through encrypted messaging apps, where police allege they are ordered to film the offence before being paid.
Police have been warning at-risk venues to increase security since the attacks began.
The owners of one targeted venue, The Emerson in Prahran, have used a 12-metre-long truck and shipping containers to protect its entrance.
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