Bikies, organised crime figures to be banished from Victorian debt collection industry
BIKIES and other organised crime figures are to be banished from Victoria’s lucrative debt collection industry, with feared crime figures who could be affected including former Bandidos enforcer Toby Mitchell and leading Comancheros Mick Murray and Hasan Topal.
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BIKIES and other organised crime figures are to be banished from the lucrative debt collection industry.
Feared bikies and crime figures who could be affected include former Bandidos enforcer Toby Mitchell and leading Comancheros Mick Murray and Hasan Topal.
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Underworld figure Mick Gatto is also involved in the debt collection industry.
The Herald Sun can reveal the Andrews Government is considering setting up a dedicated commission to oversee the industry in Victoria.
It is also to increase penalties for those who engage in unlicensed debt collection.
One police officer has described debt collection as the “bread and butter” of outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Legitimate operators say a rogue element routinely uses the threat of violence and blackmail to recover money, sometimes even trying to collect non-existent “debts”.
Deputy Premier James Merlino told the Herald Sun it was time for a clean-up.
He said: “A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will overhaul Victoria’s regulation of debt collection to make sure we drive out organised crime from this industry. We’re making sure police have everything they need — the powers, the equipment and technology — to tackle serious and organised crime, and keep all Victorians safe.”
The government plans to work with Victoria Police, Consumer Affairs Victoria, and the industry to weed out organised crime figures and rogue operators.
A source told the Herald Sun debt collection was a means for outlaw motorcycle gangs to make money.
But police often had trouble charging bikies for debt collection because there was a “grey area” on what constituted a crime, since threats were often veiled rather than overt.
“It is an implied threat. It is how it is perceived by the person dealing with the OMCG member. They rely on the fact it is one member wearing a (gang) patch, but they have the whole club behind them … that is what is implied,” the source said.
Melbourne Comanchero boss Mick Murray, who is currently behind bars, was investigated in 2014 for involvement in collecting debts linked to a business dispute. Former model Hasan Topal is now in charge of the club in Victoria.
In March, former Bandido Toby Mitchell was part of a group who left without paying a $2600 dinner bill at Vue De Monde.
CCTV footage showed him sitting at a table at the exclusive restaurant with Coburg aquarium owner Greg Kirby.
Mr Kirby had been in dispute with Vue De Monde over a $6000 bill for a lobster tank installed in the restaurant when it opened at the Rialto in 2011.
The evening turned sour when the bill arrived: Mr Kirby can be seen throwing a glass at the window of the 55th floor restaurant and arguing with staff.
Unlicensed debt collecting has been a big earner for criminals for years.
The building industry remains particularly vulnerable.
One experienced investigator said a common scenario was for a contractor to do shoddy work, leading to a dispute with a developer over the job’s quality when payment is demanded. The contractor, unable to recover the money, then sells the debt to bikies.
“They turn up and say ‘You owed that bloke $70,000. Now, you owe us $100,000’,” the source said.
“The Comanchero are the masters of it,” one source said.
Alan Harries, chief executive at the Australian Collectors and Debt Buyers Association, said: “Legitimate debt collectors are doing their work competently and professionally.
“Maybe there are some elements of bikie groups in Victoria operating under the radar in our industry.
“Why are the police not arresting these people?” Mr Harries said.
“If police have a problem with standover merchants, throw the law at them.”