Blatant extortion attempt from tobacco enforcer Kazem Hamad caught on fresh CCTV

A suburban tobacconist was told to “call Kaz or you will have no shop anymore” in a blatant standover tactic delivered by a man on the other end of the phone. Watch the video.

Tobacco enforcer Kazem Hamad’s foot soldiers have again been filmed allegedly making a series of threats against a rival smoke trade syndicate.

Three of Hamad’s lieutenants were caught twice on CCTV allegedly delivering stern warnings to a worker where they were told to “call Kaz or you have no shop anymore”.

One of Hamad’s men entered the northern suburbs smoke shop in April last year before he asked if the worker knew of “Kaz”.

Police investigate the extortion attempt at Melbourne tobacco store. Picture: Victoria Police

Hamad, who is understood to be in the Middle East after his deportation, is widely regarded as the main driver of the tobacco wars plaguing the city for the past two years now.

The accused standover man then handed the worker a piece of paper with Kaz’s phone number on it — telling the worker to “call his number as soon as I leave”.

“Do you know Kaz? Do you know Kaz? This is his number, yeah? Call his number as soon as I leave,” the man was heard telling the worker on April 28.

Kazem Hamad has been operating from the Middle East. Picture: Supplied

“As soon as I leave, call his number, alright? We run this shit. Do you understand? As soon as I leave, you have to call his number.”

The hooded man left the store before two men returned weeks later holding a phone with another man on the end of the line.

Police allege the man on the other end of the phone told the worker the shop’s owner had two days to “call Kaz or you will have no shop anymore”.

Hamad’s two men then ask “is that all boss?” to the voice on the phone, which appears to be calling from WhatsApp, before the pair casually leave the shop.

Hamad, pictured with Toby Mitchell, has been allegedly delivering these calls for the best part of 12 months. Picture: Supplied

Detectives say the owner then sold the shop and has since shifted from his home address.

Hamad’s workers have previously been filmed delivering similar alleged threats to other tobacconists across the city.

One man — claiming to be “one of Kaz’s boys” — gave a worker Hamad’s phone number before telling him to call it, “cause (sic) if you don’t...”.

The exiled crime figure has been known to deliver this alleged standover tactic from 12,000km away for at least the past 12 months.

Kazem Hamad, pictured left, was deported in 2023. Picture: Supplied

Detective Inspector Graham Banks from the tobacco-busting Lunar task force said Hamad’s blatant alleged extortion attempts across the state were of a huge concern.

“This kind of criminal behaviour is designed to create significant fear through the intimidation of the victims,” he said.

“It is completely unacceptable, and we expect to hold offenders to account for their violence and intimidation

“We believe a specific syndicate has directed this, and we also believe those who watch the CCTV and listen to the audio will be able to recognise these three males.

“If there are shop owners out there who have been approached to pay sums of money or who have been threatened in any way, then we urge you to contact police.”

Detective Inspector Graham Banks said the alleged standover tactics were unacceptable. Picture: Ian Currie

The first man who delivered the piece of paper is described as Pacific Islander in appearance, about 175cm tall with a medium build.

He was wearing a black Trapstar Shooters jumper.

The other two men, who entered the store on May 14, are described as African in appearance, about 185cm tall with slim builds.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.