The AFP has charged a juvenile foreign national in Sydney for allegedly using an encrypted application to facilitate plans for overseas contract killings on behalf of a transnational criminal syndicate.
He was arrested this morning (16 April, 2025) after investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Western Sydney. He appeared before Surry Hills Children's Court and was formally refused bail. He is scheduled to reappear before the same court on 11 June, 2025.
The AFP's Operation Dedric began in April 2025, after receiving information from Danish Police about a foreign national residing in Australia allegedly linked to attempts to organise Crime-as-a-service (CAAS) contract killings in Europe.
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.
During the search warrant, the AFP seized electronic devices, which will undergo forensic examination.
The 15-year-old boy was charged with:
- One count of using a device connected to a telecommunications network with intention to commit a serious offence, namely conspiracy to murder, contrary to section 26 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), constituting an offence under section 474.14(2) of the Criminal Code (Cth), punishable by imprisonment for life.
- One count of using a device connected to a telecommunications network with intention to commit a serious offence, namely murder, contrary to section 237 of the Danish Penal Code, constituting an offence under section 474.14(2) of the Criminal Code (Cth), punishable by imprisonment for life.
AFP Commander Brett James said criminals believed encrypted communications could provide anonymity and enable them to avoid law enforcement detection when facilitating horrendous crimes, but the AFP and its partners were a step ahead.
"The AFP regularly works with foreign policing partners, such as the Danish Police, and the identification of these alleged international criminal links is a testament to the enduring partnership and collaboration between our agencies," Commander James said.
"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."
Danish Police Deputy Chief Superintendent of the National Special Crime Unit, Lars Feldt-Rasmussen said close and effective cooperation between Australian, Swedish and Danish police had resulted in the arrest.
"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," Deputy Chief Superintendent Feldt-Rasmussen said.
"This case highlights our collaborative and effective international police cooperation and shows that we are united in our fight against cross-border crime."
