Wild theory claims Bluey's parents are part of an international crime ring

Fans have presented evidence that supports the sinister claims. 

Bluey's folks Bandit and Chilli have long been considered the ultimate Aussie duo when it comes to parenting. 

But there's one wild theory doing the rounds online that suggests the much-loved Heeler dogs are hiding a sinister secret - and it (apparently) explains a lot about the lifestyle they live. 

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Are Bandit and Chilli hiding something? Image: ABC

Bandit and Chilli are part of an international crime ring

According to the theory, which was first put forward by Zach Mander on TikTok and has since had many fans chatting on Reddit, Bluey's folks have set themselves up rather nicely considering the modest pay they would be on. 

But Zach hinted that something didn't add up when it comes to the salary Bluey's parents are on and the lifestyle they're living.

"So we have a couple where one has an intimate knowledge of how to bypass airport security and we have another who is regularly digging up rare and expensive items," he says in his video. 

"I don't want to slander a much-loved cartoon character but it seems to me that Bluey's parents could be up to some nefarious activities."

And others online have been thinking hard about it ever since the clip was posted in 2021. 

"The titular character lives in a posh inner-suburban house in Brisbane, overlooking the skyline. Based on clues in the show, an educated guess is that Bluey lives in Paddington, an expensive suburb of Brisbane located just 2km for the Central Business District. Any property located there goes for at least a million Australian dollars," one reddit user further explains. 

"Bluey's dad, Bandit, is an archaeologist and her mum, Chilli, works in airport security. Median pay for both those jobs in Australia is $67 000 AUD and $22 AUD/hour; no bank could justify a million dollar mortgage based on this income."

Are Bandit and Chilli hiding something? 

They suggest that unless Bluey's family is independently wealthy, the biggest question is: "How can Bandit and Chilli afford such a nice property so close to the city centre?"

That's where the sinister theory comes in. 

"The answer is that they are part of international historical artefact smuggling ring. Bandit, as an archaeologist, has the ability to obtain rare and valuable archaeological finds, while Chilli, an expert in airport security, has the means to ensure that those finds make it past Australia's infamously strict border security," they claim. 

"Thus, the answer to how they are able to afford such a nice house so close to the city is that they can't. The house is a proceed from a criminal enterprise."

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Is Stripe also 'in business' with Bandit and Chilli? 

While the evidence presented does raise a few questions, the theory is rather far-fetched but also supports what the Bluey creators encourage from their viewers: to keep thinking and interpret each episode in your own way. Sooooo....

Now, some fans have gone one step further with the criminal theory and have suggested that Bandit's brothers, Stripe and Rad, might be in on the crime ring too. 

"Are Stripe and Rad in on it too?" one person asks in the Reddit thread. "Uncle Rad is on an oil rig in international waters and is older but unmarried. Also Stripe took a holiday in Bali."

(and well, we all know what happens in Bali... lol)

But others aren't entirely convinced all of them are involved. 

"Stripe is in on it, but Rad is not," one said. "Stripe and his family appear to be living a lifestyle comparatively equivalent to Bandit’s. Whereas Rad seems to be a bit more struggling.

"Stripe's family is clearly living a more luxurious life than Bandit's. Stripe's pool (and their walk to it), his spoiled child they don't spend much time with (comparatively), his wife's inability to control her impulses."

Some Bluey fans claim Stripe is part of the crime ring too. Image: ABC

Even fans on Facebook weighed in. 

"OK OK OK so hear me out. The entire Heeler family is part of a black market snuggling crime family. Bandit is an archeologist who finds priceless items etc. Chilli is airport security (so) he can get things out of Australia and to wherever," one fan shared. 

"Rad is the one who fences them with the cover of 'working on an oil rig' and Stripe being the little brother is like the Fredo of the family. I’ve believed this with my whole heart for a while now."

Another fan supported: "Stripe is the black market dealer for the artifacts Bandit steals from his dig sites and Chilli sneaks through customs."

Now just try and watch the show without this in the back of your mind!

Originally published as Wild theory claims Bluey's parents are part of an international crime ring