Mafia’s Web podcast: How the AN0M sting unmasked new generation of Australian mafia

Operation Ironside’s AN0M sting has revealed how Australia’s new mafia bosses operate and have left their once secret mob exposed. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

A new generation of mafia bosses flashing their cash and fast cars in Instagram posts are bringing themselves to the attention of authorities.

The trend of buying Maseratis and living in stylish suburbs have also angered the old guard of the Australian-based Italian mafia who spent a lifetime keeping a low profile.

Australian Federal Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Todd Hunter said the new generation of mafia, including the Ndrangheta clan, was stepping into the spotlight.

“Traditionally, the Ndrangheta in particular and Italian organised crime, their method of operation in the past has been going under the radar,” he told The Mafia’s Web podcast.

“They stuck to themselves, they didn’t pop their heads up, and they worked regular jobs, drove regular vehicles, and lived-in middle class suburbs.”

Now mafia bosses were shunning their elders’ subdued ways.

“The younger generation have shifted that behaviour,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Hunter said.

Australian Federal Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Todd Hunter. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

“They’re becoming more overt, displaying their status, and they use social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and then we see them on there with the flash cars, and they’re well made up girlfriends.

“We see the younger ones involved in displaying their activities more openly.”

They like flashy cars like the Maserati.

The Australian-based Italian mafia were among the organised crime groups whose activities were uncovered by the AFP’s Operation Ironside – a three-year sting involving the encrypted AN0M app – which was in fact a trojan horse app set up and monitored by the FBI and AFP.

Live criminal chatter intercepted by the AFP via the AN0M app.

That co-ordinated sting, which also involved the FBI and Europol, has provided years of intelligence from more than 27 million messages sent by criminals and intercepted in real time by the AFP.

Listen to the latest episode of Mafia’s Web below:

The criminals believed the app was encrypted so they spoke freely about their plans, including assassination plots which were foiled by police.

It also revealed the links between the mafia and other crime groups in Australia, including the outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Drugs and money were all discovered through Operation Ironside.

Some members of the Australian mafia are now also members of bikie groups.

“That’s very much about garnering trust, being loyal. You don’t you don’t get anywhere in business with OMCGs unless you’ve got that,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Hunter said.

The AN0M sting has allowed authorities to map the connections between the mafia and other crime groups.

Heavily-armed AFP officers about to conduct a search as part of Operation Ironside. Picture: AFP

It has also provided information about their tactics, with the Mafia’s Web podcast previously revealing wholesale price of cocaine doubling in the months after the operation because of reduced supply into Australia.

“We’re methodically working through those and we’ve already seen the arrests that we’ve made so far, both here in Australia and internationally,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Hunter said.

“We’re continuing to do our work on all of that and there’s more arrests coming.”

The mafia has been able to infiltrate society through the ownership of legitimate businesses.

And there are fears among mafia experts about their ability to influence politicians.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Hunter said some of the mafia figures remain hidden in plain sight.

“It could be your next door neighbour,” he said.

Originally published as Mafia’s Web podcast: How the AN0M sting unmasked new generation of Australian mafia