Teenage boy accused of trying to hire hitmen online in Nordic ‘cash for killing' operation
A 15-year-old boy accused of trying to recruit contract killers online in a Nordic gang war faces life in prison after being arrested in a multinational police sting.
The teen was arrested at a home in Western Sydney on Wednesday morning and charged with using an encrypted app to facilitate a 'cash for killing' plan on behalf of an international crime syndicate, according to police from Australia, Denmark and Sweden.
Australian police launched an investigation earlier this month after they were alerted by Danish police to a foreign national living in Australia, whom they had linked to attempts at organising contract killings in Europe.
The so-called 'crime-as-a-service' contract killings involve individuals outsourcing crimes to third parties, using online platforms including social media to plan and carry out the attacks, police said.
Lars Feldt-Rasmussen, deputy chief superintendent of the Danish police national special crime unit (NSK), said the arrest was a result of close cooperation between the three police forces.
'While in Australia, the young man is suspected of having attempted to recruit people to commit contract killings in Denmark and Sweden as part of ongoing gang conflicts in the Nordic region,' he said.
In a separate statement, Danish police said the boy was originally from Sweden.
The teenager was charged with two counts of using a device connected to a telecommunications network with the intent of committing a serious offence, namely conspiracy to murder - one count under the Australian Commonwealth criminal code and one under the Danish penal code. Both charges are punishable by life in prison.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commander Brett James said that while criminals thought encrypted communications gave them anonymity and would help them dodge the law, the police were 'a step ahead'.
'If you think you can use geography to evade law enforcement, you're mistaken – the AFP and its partners are always watching, sharing intelligence and ready to apprehend those who wish to harm our communities,' he said.
Deputy chief superintendent Feldt-Rasmussen said the investigation was continuing.
'With this operation, we have taken a recruitment link in the crime chain out of play, but we are not finished yet,' he said in translated comments from social media.
'We are also targeting those we suspect of having controlled the 15-year-old. Together with our international partners, we are hunting those who commit crimes against Denmark and the Nordic region - including those hiding abroad."
The teen appeared in a Sydney children's court on Wednesday and was formally refused bail. He is due to reappear in court on June 11.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Wales Online
BBC axe Wimbledon pundit after being told to 'hang its head in shame'
BBC axe Wimbledon pundit after being told to 'hang its head in shame' Nick Kyrgios has been ruled out of Wimbledon due to injury and will not be part of the BBC's punditry team, with the Australian also snubbed by ESPN Controversial Australian Nick Kyrgios was a Wimbledon pundit for the BBC last year (Image: BBC ) Nick Kyrgios, the controversial Australian tennis star, has reportedly been dropped from the BBC's Wimbledon punditry team. Last year, Kyrgios brought his expertise to SW19 as a commentator after injury forced him out of competition. He had aspirations to actually participate at Wimbledon this year; however, it appears bad luck has intervened again with a reoccurrence of injury issues. Kyrgios, a finalist at Wimbledon three years prior, kicked off his 2025 season at the Brisbane International and took part in the Australian Open where he was defeated in the first round by Jacob Fearnley, also playing in the Miami Open. Since his last competitive match, speculation arose about a potential return to broadcasting. Nevertheless, reports from The Telegraph indicate that the BBC has decided not to include Kyrgios in their commentary team for the Wimbledon tournament, and he hasn't been picked up by ESPN either, despite having worked with them during the Australian Open. His engagement by the BBC last year was met with criticism, particularly as it came just over a year after he confessed to assaulting an ex-girlfriend. Caroline Nokes, who chaired the women and equalities committee at that time, reproached the corporation, stating they should 'hang its head in shame' for the decision to hire him, reports the Express. Article continues below In a statement, the BBC defended their choice, stating: "We are in no way condoning his cited previous actions or behaviours, on and off the court, and he is employed to share his views on tennis only." Kyrgios has recently offered his services to other prominent sports broadcasters. The legal matter he was entangled in has reached its conclusion, is a matter of public record, and he has openly discussed it. Following his guilty plea to assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Kyrgios expressed remorse: "I was not in good place when this happened and I reacted to a difficult situation in a way I deeply regret. "I know it wasn't OK and I'm sincerely sorry for the hurt I caused." In recent years, Kyrgios' career has been hindered by a string of injuries, forcing him to miss numerous major tournaments. Article continues below This month, he shared with his fans that a new setback would prevent him from participating in the grass season. He took to social media to explain: "I've hit a small setback in my recovery and unfortunately won't make it back for grass season this year.'I know how much you've all been looking forward to seeing me out there, and I'm genuinely sorry to disappoint. "This is just a bump in the road though, and I'm already working hard to get back stronger than ever."
NBC News
8 hours ago
- NBC News
'Prankster' storms stage at Katy Perry concert in Sydney
SYDNEY — Pop star Katy Perry was surprised at her concert in Sydney on Monday when an attendee briefly ran up to her on stage and grabbed her before being escorted away by security. Perry was midway through her show at the the 21,000-seat Qudos Bank Arena, the second of three sold-out dates in the Australian city on her 'Lifetimes Tour.' Video footage posted by a concertgoer and verified by NBC News showed a man run down the circular stage, throw an arm around Perry's shoulder and start bouncing and dancing wildly. Perry, who appeared surprised, quickly moved away as she continued singing her 2008 hit 'Hot N Cold.' 'There's never going to be another show like this, so just enjoy it, Sydney,' she said, as the fan appeared to struggle with security guards. 'What the hell is going on?' Perry said to the crowd, as the man was dragged off stage. A representative for Perry could not immediately be reached for comment. The incident highlights growing concerns about poor etiquette at concerts, with audience members throwing items at artists such as Harry Styles and Lady Gaga. Police in the state of New South Wales, which includes Sydney, told NBC News that a man had been arrested and charged with two offenses: entering enclosed land and obstructing a person in performance of work or duties. They said he had been detained by security after jumping on stage during a concert around 9:20 p.m. local time. The man has been granted conditional bail and is due to appear in court on June 23, the police said, declining to name him in the meantime. He has also been banned for six months from Sydney Olympic Park, where the arena is located. The man has been identified in Australian media as Johnson Wen, who describes himself as a 'prankster' on his TikTok account, where he goes by the username pyjamamann and has a little over 1,100 followers. 'I was like, 'Let me get on stage with you,' and then she freaked out because I think she realized I wasn't a performer,' Wen told Australia's 9 News about the incident, adding that he was 'about to do the extra Fortnite move, but security got there too quick.' Previous videos posted on Wen's account show him running on stage at a concert by The Weeknd in Melbourne last year, and onto the field at the FIFA Women's World Cup final in 2023. 'I'm planning to quit forever, because you get in way too much trouble for it,' he said. Wen did not immediately respond to a request for comment. By Tuesday, he had posted four different videos of him rushing the stage. "Katy Perry your songs are my Childhood Memmory since 2008," he wrote in a caption for one of the videos. Another caption read,"Me Hugging Katy Perry on Stage. I said to Her 'let me dance for you'"
ITV News
9 hours ago
- ITV News
Alleged mushroom murderer denies covering tracks in sixth day giving evidence
Erin Patterson made a series of denials during her sixth day giving evidence in an Australian court where she stands accused of murdering her relatives with a poisoned beef wellington. Patterson was being cross examined by prosecutor Nanette Rogers SC who accused her of lying about several events and at one point "making it up as [she] goes along." Last week Patterson claimed to have a history of binge eating and purging, as she told the court she made herself vomit after the toxic lunch, as she felt full. The prosecution accused her of lying about this to explain why she had not suffered the same ill-effects as her relatives. 'You did not tell a single medical person that you had vomited up after the lunch on the 29th of July?' Rogers asked. 'That is true, I didn't do that,' Patterson said. "Because you're trying to account for why the others were seriously ill and you were not,' Rogers added. Patterson's estranged husband's parents, Don and Gail Patterson, both died as well as Gail Patterson's sister, Heather Wilkinson following a lunch at the accused's home in July 2023. Heather's husband, Ian Wilkinson, became ill but survived. The prosecution claims Patterson used matching plates for her guests allegedly poisoned portions of beef wellington, and a different coloured plate for her own. Patterson suggested evidence given to this effect was incorrect. 'I don't have five plates the same. So everyone would have had different plates. I don't have four plates the same either," Patterson said. Rogers accused Patterson of eating an entire portion of beef wellington, in the knowledge hers had not been poisoned whilst lying to medics about eating a smaller piece to explain her lack of symptoms. 'Incorrect," Patterson said. 'Nobody remarked on how little you ate? 'I suggest no-one remarked because you didn't eat a small portion, you ate a whole portion,' said the prosecution. Erin Patterson initially visited Leongatha Hospital on July 31, 2023. When questioned about this visit she denied being told her life was in danger, as hospital staff tried to convince her to stay. Rogers noted that medical staff gave evidence she was away from the hospital for an hour and 40 minutes. Phone records indicated she had driven along a major road southwest of Leongatha despite previously saying she went straight home before returning to the hospital. Rogers put it to Patterson that she spent the hour and 40 minutes away from the hospital trying to figure out ways to cover her tracks. 'You are saying I spent an hour and 40 minutes thinking?' Questioned Patterson. 'I am sure I spent some time thinking, but it wasn't about how to cover my tracks,' she added. Patterson was asked about evidence she gave last week in which she claimed she had a pre-surgery appointment at ENRICH clinic for gastric bypass surgery. "The ENRICH clinic does not offer bypass surgery," Rogers said. 'Well I had an appointment with them, and that was what my appointment was for, so I am a bit puzzled," said Patterson. 'When you told the court you had an appointment for gastric bypass surgery, that was a lie.' She denied this, saying it could have been for a different procedure and she had misremembered. Ms Patterson has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Her trial, now in its seventh week, continues.
