Illawarra raids, arrests as FBI app AnOM gives police an ear to world's underbelly

Angela Thompson
Updated June 9 2021 - 3:52pm, first published June 8 2021 - 7:07pm
Luke Andreou, Elias Elchaar and Emmanuel Vamvoukakis face charges stemming from Operation Ironside, which has resulted in thousands of seizures, including items from Vamvoukakis' West Wollongong home (pictured).
Luke Andreou, Elias Elchaar and Emmanuel Vamvoukakis face charges stemming from Operation Ironside, which has resulted in thousands of seizures, including items from Vamvoukakis' West Wollongong home (pictured).

At least three Illawarra men have been ensnared in a police sting for the ages - a complex, global operation that duped hundreds of the world's underworld figures, bikies and mafiosos into using a supposedly secure communication app that instead fed their alleged plans straight to federal agents.

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Angela Thompson

Angela Thompson

Journalist

Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au

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