Based Camp | Simone & Malcolm Collins
Based Camp | Simone & Malcolm Collins
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Terrorists & Crime Lords Discover Gig Work (Immediately Build Child Army)
In this eye-opening episode of Based Camp, Simone and Malcolm Collins dive deep into the disturbing new reality of modern organized crime. From Iraqi crime syndicates in Australia using Signal and WhatsApp to recruit teenagers for firebombings and extortion, to Mexican cartels (Sinaloa, CJNG) recruiting kids via Fortnite, GTA V, and Call of Duty, this episode exposes how gig-economy crime, encrypted apps, and gaming platforms are transforming criminal operations. They discuss how minors (as young as 11) are being lured with small payments, status, and “missions,” why this model is so effective, real-world cases, terrorist virtual plotting by ISIS, darknet crime-as-a-service, and law enforcement stings like Operation Trojan Shield. A fascinating (and sometimes darkly humorous) look at how technology has supercharged crime in the 2020s. Show Notes We think of consumers and mainstream corporations as embracing remote work and the gig economy, but did you know there are also, for example, Signal groups, labeled “jobs” that Australian kids are using to get quick cash while doing chores and errands (+ the occasional firebombings) for an Iraqi crime syndicate, largely based over 8,000 miles away in Iraq? This is not just an Australian problem. Mexican Cartels like CJNG (Jalisco New Generation) and Sinaloa are recruiting Fortnite. The Iraqi Crime Syndicate Terrorizing Melbourne The Broad Scene An Iraq-based organized crime syndicate (often linked to figures like Kazem “Kaz” Hamad and referred to as “the Cartel”) is directing or strongly suspected in a wave of extortion, firebombings, shootings, and related violence targeting businesses in Melbourne. This has escalated notably in recent years, especially since around 2023 with the “tobacco wars,” and has expanded into hospitality/nightlife venues in 2026. * As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald: Kazem Hamad (an Iraqi-born Australian deported in 2023) and associates in Baghdad are alleged to orchestrate operations remotely. Hamad was arrested in Iraq in early 2026 at Australia’s request. Threats and directions come via encrypted apps from overseas. A 23-year-old Australian in Baghdad (linked to Hamad’s network) is also implicated. * The Guardian reports on how street-level crews (often teenagers or young offenders) are recruited via encrypted messaging apps to carry out attacks. Organized crime figures assign contracts to local “heads of street crews,” who then use youths as foot soldiers for arson, burglaries, or intimidation. Police have arrested numerous teens (some as young as 13-17) in connection with these incidents. This is described as a broader trend of organized crime exploiting youth gangs. * The violence has grown from tobacco-related turf wars (firebombings, shootings) to broader “alcohol wars” or hospitality attacks in 2026, with dozens of venues targeted. It’s linked to illicit tobacco/drug trades funding larger networks. Police operations (e.g., Operation Eclipse, Carmen) are ongoing, with infighting reported after key arrests. (See The Daily News Now! Podcast from Melbourne News Today). * Attacks often aim to force businesses (tobacco shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants) to pay “protection” or taxes (e.g., the “Kaz tax”), stock illicit products, or comply with demands. Venues have received threats of monthly payments (e.g., around $10,000 reported in some cases) to avoid firebombing. Non-compliance leads to arson or violence. This has caused a surge in arson crimes (e.g., 68% increase linked to tobacco wars). * Note: The tobacco wars are an ongoing series of violent turf wars between organized crime groups fighting for control of the lucrative illicit (black market) tobacco trade in Victoria, Australia, particularly Melbourne * According to the Guardian, the conflict intensified around March 2023 after a meeting of key underworld figures failed to agree on controlling prices and distribution of illicit products. This led to a wave of retaliatory violence * The main fighting parties are several outlaw motorcycle gangs, the Haddara crime family, and Victoria Police (notably Taskforce Lunar) responding to the conflict * Kazem Hamad has also been linked * Per the wikipedia entry on this: “The illegal tobacco trade in Australia is highly lucrative due to high taxation on legal tobacco.” (they have some of the world’s highest cigarette taxes) How the Crime is Organized * Leadership uses Signal to recruit and assign tasks to local youths in crime networks, including those linked to Kazem Hamad-associated syndicates (the Cartel) * Teens are ideal recruits because they face lighter juvenile justice consequences * Tasks are assigned in group chats * Per the Sydney Morning Herald, one documented example of the group chats was titled “jobs” * Offers for jobs range from a few hundred dollars to $1,000 to over $20,000 for significant attacks * E.g. a venue firebombing would get you something more in the $20K range * The police and media are referring to this as a “CrimeTasker” model (akin to Airtasker, which I guess is Australia’s TaskRabbit) * They often use whatsapp for the actual extortion demands to business owners after attacks * So signal = for admin and operational recruitment * Whatsapp = for PR and comms * Payment * Extorted people pay the local gig workers in cash * Larger syndicate profits (e.g. extortion tax profits, illicit tobacco sales) undergo more sophisticated money laundering Other Modern Organized Crime Mexican Drug Cartels (Recruitment and Tasking) Cartels like CJNG (Jalisco New Generation) and Sinaloa excel at tech-enabled remote operations: * They post fake job ads (e.g., security guards) on Facebook/Instagram, then shift recruits to WhatsApp/Signal for training and assignments. They also recruit teens via video games (Fortnite, Call of Duty, GTA V) for hitman/sicario roles or smuggling, offering cash incentives. * HOW IT WORKS * Per InSight Crime, recruiters (or cartel-linked players) join public multiplayer sessions or lobbies, especially late at night when parental supervision is lower. * They send direct messages, friend requests, or group invites via in-game chat. Profiles often feature glamorous or intimidating imagery (e.g., bulletproof vests, weapons, cartel symbols). * Common hooks: Complimenting the player’s skills (”You’re good at this—want to do it for real?”), promising adventure, money, guns, cars, or status. They may frame it as a “job” (e.g., security, lookout) or an “event” like a virtual recruitment drive. * They play together to build trust * Then they transition to private chats * Discord, Twitch, WhatsApp, or Signal) * Then they exploit vulnerabilities: As ABC4 reports, they target isolated or bored youths, those fascinated by violence/weapons (common in shooter games), or from low-income backgrounds. Promises often include weekly pay (e.g., $200+ for low-level roles like lookouts) and escalation to higher-paying criminal tasks. * Finally, they escalate * Once hooked, recruits may receive travel instructions, small initial tasks (e.g., local surveillance), or smuggling runs. * As InSite Crime reports, Cartels like CJNG, Sinaloa, or Cartel del Noreste (CDN) have been linked to these efforts. Roles start small (messengers, lookouts) and can progress to violence or drug transport. * EXAMPLES * The Free Fire Cases (Most Documented, 2021): In Oaxaca, Mexico, three boys aged 11–14 were recruited via Garena Free Fire (a battle royale game similar to Fortnite). A recruiter posed as a peer, offered jobs as lookouts with weekly pay, and bought bus tickets to northern Mexico. Authorities intercepted them. Similar cases involved girls and other minors lured for trafficking or cartel work. Mexican officials highlighted this as a pattern across games. * GTA Online Drug Mule Recruitment (US-Mexico, ~2021–2022): A woman in Arizona was recruited while playing GTA Online. She met a man in the game who offered her a “job” transporting what she thought were electronics (actually methamphetamine). She was arrested with ~60kg of meth. US Customs and Border Protection linked it to Mexican cartels using the game for real-world runners. * GTA V Recruitment Event (2021): A teen received an in-game invite at 3 a.m. to a virtual “RECLUTAMIENTO ABIERTO” (open recruitment) event tied to Cartel del Noreste (CDN) and Old School Zetas. The recruiter’s profile showed militarized gear. * Remote leaders coordinate border smuggling, hits, and extortion using apps. * US teens/citizens are increasingly targeted for low-level tasks like drug transport. * This is highlighted in the latest season of Euphoria Dark Web and Crime-as-a-Service (CaaS) * As ICE.gov reports (a think tank about organized crime), Darknet marketplaces (e.g., successors to Silk Road, AlphaBay) function like eBay for illicit goods/services—drugs, weapons, stolen data, hacking tools, fake IDs, and even hitman services. * Groups offer “crime-as-a-service” with hierarchies, reviews, and escrow payments (often crypto). * Eastern European and international networks dominate. * Forums divide labor * Coders sell malware, others handle distribution or enforcement. Gig Economy Terrorism Core Model: “Virtual Plotters” and Remote Direction ISIS pioneered a system of “virtual entrepreneurs” or “virtual plotters” — handlers operating from overseas (e.g., Syria/Iraq) who identify, groom, and guide attackers remotely. This lowers risk for the group while scaling impact through crowdsourced or gig-style terrorism HOW IT WORKS * Recruitment flow (per a GWU Program on Extremism report) * Starts on open platforms (Twitter/X, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram) with propaganda * Then shifts to encrypted messaging (primarily Telegram, also WhatsApp, Signal, or apps like Surespot/Wickr) for secure, one-on-one or small-group coordination * Tasking * Handlers assign specific “jobs” — e.g., “conduct a
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