Police uncover usernames allegedly directing Melbourne arson attacks

Detectives have uncovered the usernames of several taskmasters suspected of orchestrating a wave of firebombings and extortions across Melbourne.

Armed Crime Squad detectives believe those behind the profiles were responsible for ordering attacks on bars, clubs and restaurants during the so-called "bar wars" earlier this year.

Figures instructing alleged foot soldiers under the online usernames "Onepercent", "Motion" and "Work" have become central to the investigation, which ramped up in April amid an almost daily onslaught of fires targeting venues, which were often located in busy CBD and inner-city precincts.

Detective Acting Inspector Simon Pengelly of the Armed Crime Squad said the investigation now relied on information from people who may have communicated with those usernames.

"The reality is, we can't do this without the help of the community. Police are only as good as the intelligence we have," he said.

"If you have any information on these handles — or have had any contact with them — you can play a critical role in helping us to curb this offending. We'd urge you to come forward and speak to police."

Multiple underworld sources say those usernames were likely tied to "burner" or single-use accounts and devices and may no longer be active.

Social media and encrypted messaging apps have become  preferred method of communication between criminals and underlings, who are often children, when planning alleged attacks.

Several youths are before the courts as they face charges for their alleged roles in some of the attacks, including a Pakenham home invasion and an alleged arson at Left Bank cocktail bar in Southbank.

In July, Operation Eclipse detectives charged 20-year-old Jesse Hadchiti with being a key middleman responsible for co-ordinating some of the attacks connected to bars and restaurants.

Detective Inspector Graham Banks said at the time that Mr Hadchiti painted himself as a high roller, allegedly used the handle "Commbank" on messaging platforms to allude to the amount of money he was making by working for the Hamad syndicate.

Police alleged he had up to 2,000 potential offenders at his disposal to commit crimes on behalf of the gang, believed to be run by Hamad's lieutenant, Ali al-Huseini, after Hamad was sentenced to life behind bars in Iraq for drug trafficking.

Before that, Hamad was widely believed to be responsible for Victoria's tobacco wars as he wrangled control of the black-market smoke trade from his alleged rivals, the Haddara family.

Mr Hadchiti has been behind bars since his arrest at his parents' Essendon home.

While the three organisers have been linked to the attacks on hospitality venues, police have previously said organised crime syndicates, particularly the dominant 313 gang run by exiled tobacco boss Kazem Hamad, operated across multiple criminal ventures such as illicit tobacco or drugs.

A more recent spate of arsons across Melbourne saw almost 20 cars, venues and homes targeted, with several of those attacks believed to be linked to illegal tobacco.

The ABC revealed that the alleged teenage arsonists who torched cars in Taylors Hill, which left a 13-year-old boy fighting for life, received their instructions on WhatsApp.

"Tasking criminal offences while hidden behind an online platform is not a faceless crime," Inspector Pengelly said.

"Arsons, extortions, kidnappings and other violent criminal offending is being used to intimidate, influence and impose and is putting the Victorian community at risk."