15-year-old helped organize international contract killings, Australia cops say
A teen is accused of trying to recruit hitmen to commit contract killings in Europe from a computer in Sydney, Australian police say.
Law enforcement in Australia was alerted by Danish police in April that a foreign national living in Australia may be part of a 'crime-as-a-service' scheme for killings planned in Europe, according to an April 16 news release from the Australian Federal Police.
The 15-year-old was reported to be a Swedish national by 9News, an Australian news outlet.
'Crime-as-a-service contract killings involve individuals or groups outsourcing criminal activities to third parties and using online platforms and social media to plan and execute the illegal acts,' police said.
A search of the teen's electronics at a home in western Sydney showed he was 'using an encrypted application' to organize killings 'on behalf of a transnational criminal syndicate,' according to police.
The teen was working to plan killings in Denmark and Sweden on behalf of Nordic gangs amid ongoing conflicts, Danish police said in the release.
The 15-year-old was arrested on April 16 and charged with using telecommunications with intent to commit conspiracy to murder and using telecommunications with intent to commit murder, both of which are punishable by life in prison, police said.
'If you think you can use geography to evade law enforcement, you're mistaken — the (Australian Federal Police) and its partners are always watching, sharing intelligence and ready to apprehend those who wish to harm our communities,' commander Brett James said in the release.
The teen was denied bail and is scheduled to appear in court on June 11, police said.
Sydney is in southeastern Australia.
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