Melbourne venue owners receive chilling messages

For weeks, an organised crime syndicate has been tormenting Melbourne, devastating hospitality businesses with a campaign of firebombing, and no group has yet claimed responsibility.

Today there are suspicions the masterminds could be in Iraq, with the aim of extorting and threatening Melbourne venues.

Some business owners, who have not yet been attacked, say they have received menacing messages.

A Current Affair has been sent a copy of the WhatsApp message that is said to be from a gang that calls itself "The Cartel". The number appears to be registered to the United States but police believe the message may have originated elsewhere overseas.

It reads: "Hello, if you got this message we're after you, your family, your businesses, homes and souls. We will take it by force if you don't comply. The police can't help you, it's inevitable, we won't stop till we get what we want".

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