A young man arrested in relation to arson attacks targeting major hospitality venues was "running an empire" from his family home on behalf of an international criminal syndicate, according to police.
The 20-year-old is allegedly a high-ranking representative within the syndicate linked to crime kingpin Kazem Hamad, who was detained in Iraq earlier in 2026.
Detective Inspector Graham Banks told reporters on Tuesday the man had been in control of tasking crimes out using encrypted applications on behalf of the syndicate.
"Police believe the matters he is being interviewed for (are) the tip of the iceberg," he said.
"Despite his young age, intelligence suggests he is a significant part of the crime group."
The accused was known as "Commbank" when using encrypted applications, Det Insp Banks said.
"He came up with this handle based on the amount of wealth he was handling in the organisation," he added.
"I understand he self-described as an ordinary kid who goes to the gym and runs an empire from his home."
There was about 2000 "taskers" at his disposal, Det Insp Banks added, although it could be an elevated number.
Police allege the 20-year-old had also been involved in a kidnapping, which took place in the southeast Melbourne suburb of Malvern.
It involved a number of men who assaulted a man inside his home before forcing him inside a car on April 14.
He was later dropped outside a hospital, with police believing the victim was the wrong target.
Four males have been charged in relation to the incident.
Investigators will allege the 20-year-old had also organised an attempted aggravated home invasion in Doncaster on April 28.
The man is also allegedly behind a number of arson attacks that sparked a major police investigation named Operation Eclipse on April 27.
The operation has been targeting a range of serious and organised crime syndicates believed to be involved in a series of offending linked to hospitality venues, as well as determining the motive for these attacks.
“This arrest is the most consequential we have made since the inception of Operation Eclipse,” Det Insp Banks said.
More arrests are expected to come in the investigation, with a 23-year-old man also wanted over the attempted murder of Sam ''The Punisher'' Abdulrahim.
The 23-year-old is also involved in the syndicate and is residing somewhere in the Middle East.
