NSW Police dismantle encrypted phone network used by Sydney gangs for crimes
Consensus Summary
NSW Police have dismantled an encrypted phone network, the VIP Network, used by Sydney’s organised crime groups to coordinate drug deals, kidnappings, and murders. Over the past month, raids across Sydney’s south seized 3000 devices, with police intercepting over 60 and close to 100 linked to the network in recent months. Three men aged 25, 26, and 29 were charged with participating in a criminal group and related offenses, facing court on Friday. The VIP Network allegedly sold about 1000 devices per year for $2000 each, generating some $2 million. Police allege the devices were used in violent conflicts between gangs like the Alameddine crime family and the Coconut Cartel, with key figures like Henry Kupa arrested in April after a 390-kilogram methamphetamine seizure. The operation targeted encrypted messaging apps Signal and Threema, sending warnings to users that their accounts were linked to the criminal network. Both sources confirm the network’s disruption as a major blow to Sydney’s underworld, which has seen unrest and violence over the last 24 months.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Three men aged 25, 26, and 29 were charged with participating in a criminal group and related offenses
- Police seized 3000 handsets linked to the VIP Network
- The VIP Network sold about 1000 devices per year for $2000 apiece, generating some $2 million
- Police intercepted over 60 devices and close to 100 devices linked to the VIP Network in recent months
- The operation targeted encrypted messaging accounts on Signal or Threema linked to the VIP Phones network
- The three men will face court on Friday
- The devices were used to orchestrate drug deals, kidnappings, and murders
- Police raided properties in Sydney’s south (Botany, Banksmeadow, Kogarah, Bexley, Rockdale) as part of the operation
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Police recovered dozens of phones imported from China lacking front-facing cameras
- The devices were outfitted with custom-encrypted operating systems
- The VIP Network targeted Sydney’s underworld as its user base
- Police seized 35 devices, almost $35,000 in cash, and luxury watches during raids
- The devices were allegedly used in Sydney’s feud between the Alameddine crime family and the Coconut Cartel, and by the Badger crime network
- Henry Kupa, alleged onshore leader of the Coconut Cartel, was arrested in April after police seized 390 kilograms of methamphetamine
- Lemalu died after being shot on May 21
- Badger has been based in South-East Asia since relocating from western Sydney a decade ago
- The warring gangs have been using the encrypted phones to orchestrate violent kidnappings and murders over the last 24 months
- Police intercepted close to 100 devices linked to the VIP Network over the past six months
- The ABC previously revealed violence brokers outsourced acts of violence through encrypted group chats
- The three men were denied police bail to face court on Friday
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- SMH states the devices were sold for $2000 apiece, while ABC does not specify the price per device but confirms the total revenue estimate
- SMH mentions the devices were used by the Badger crime network, who allegedly ordered the earlier this year, while ABC does not mention this specific detail
Source Articles
‘Murder phones’ cracked: Police seize control of alleged gangsters’ encrypted devices
Startling messages have appeared on phones across Sydney warning that accounts allegedly linked to the city’s bloody gang wars had been intercepted by police.
Police slide into DMs of underworld group chat with warning
An encrypted phone network allegedly used by Sydney's underworld to orchestrate murders, kidnappings and drug deals has been infiltrated by NSW Police after they arrested a trio accused of running the "VIP Network".