Police in Sydney are investigating a deeply concerning new trend in organised crime, where teenagers as young as 16 are allegedly being paid thousands of dollars to film violent attacks as gruesome 'proof' for their paymasters.
The 'Post and Boast' Phenomenon
Authorities are probing a series of incidents dubbed 'post and boast' shootings, where footage of the crimes is captured and then distributed through criminal networks. This tactic appears designed to instil fear and demonstrate capability. The going rate for these juvenile bootleg cameramen is believed to be about $10,000 per job, according to police sources speaking to the Daily Telegraph.
One senior source expressed grave concern, stating: "What's concerning is that it's no longer enough to do a violent crime. Now we have additional people, often juveniles, there to film it." They added that gangs are paying substantial sums specifically to have attacks documented, suggesting a shift towards using footage as a tool of intimidation.
Incidents Under the Spotlight
The investigations are understood to focus on several specific events from last month, including an assault and three separate shootings. One particularly brazen incident was a drive-by shooting at a home in Bossley Park on November 21.
Footage from that attack appears to show a 16-year-old filming while a 22-year-old man allegedly fires more than 20 shots into the property. In a separate case in October, related to an alleged attempted murder at a Revesby daycare centre, detectives intercepted an alleged teenage 'guns-for-hire' squad. One accused individual allegedly had a GoPro camera mounted on his weapon, with police alleging he intended to livestream or record the planned attack.
A Disturbing Pattern of Exploitation
This revelation follows reports from last year that crime kingpins are deliberately recruiting younger and younger individuals to carry out their dirty work, likely due to perceived lighter legal consequences. The shooters themselves are allegedly accepting fees as low as $20,000 to carry out these filmed attacks.
The strategy marks a sinister evolution in gangland activity, merging brutal violence with digital documentation for underworld clout. A video allegedly showing a man being held at gunpoint was also circulated among criminal circles, further illustrating the trend.
A NSW Police spokesperson confirmed the ongoing investigations, stating: "Police investigate all public place shootings. We won't be commenting on methodology or specifics of those investigations." The force remains deeply alarmed by the potential for teenagers who begin in street gangs to escalate into committing serious, premeditated offences.
