A Caravan, Firebombs, and ‘James Bond’

A former high-ranking bikie boss is alleged to be the mysterious “James Bond” who directed criminals to firebomb a Bondi brewery, which they apparently mistook for a Jewish kosher deli.

Yesterday, a sweeping police operation targeting an alleged wave of antisemitic crimes has led to 14 arrests and authorities revealed that the crimes were orchestrated by an organised crime syndicate; not driven by ideology, but by criminal motives. Among those charged is Sayed Moosawi, a former president of the Nomads outlaw bikie gang, whom police allege directed two firebombing attacks in Bondi. The attacks were linked to a mysterious underworld figure who went by the alias “James Bond.”

Yesterday police revealed that the highly publicised Dural caravan bomb plot, initially feared to be a mass-casualty terrorist event, was actually a fabricated con job. Organised crime figures allegedly staged the event to manipulate authorities, either as a distraction or to negotiate reduced charges in unrelated cases.

‘James Bond’ and the Firebomb Blunders

Moosawi, 34, is accused of directing criminals for hire to firebomb two Bondi businesses in October 2023, mistakenly targeting Curly Lewis Brewery instead of the nearby Lewis’ Continental Kitchen, a popular kosher delicatessen. When his alleged accomplices botched the attack, he is accused of personally torching the deli days later.

His alleged enforcers, Craig Bantoft and Guy Finnegan, were arrested after setting fire to the brewery, only to later realise, via encrypted Signal chats, that they had hit the wrong target.

“I’m starting to think he has sent us to the wrong place lol,” Finnegan allegedly wrote after the failed attack.

Moosawi, allegedly posing as “James Bond,” was furious:

“Use f…ked the whole thing now… it’s not even 2% burned f… me dead,” he messaged them.

Police say Moosawi then took matters into his own hands, personally setting fire to Lewis’ on Curlewis Street three days later.

The Bigger Picture

The firebombings were just part of a broader campaign of violence against Jewish targets that police say was orchestrated by a larger crime network. The Strike Force Pearl investigation has resulted in 29 arrests and 143 charges for offences including graffitiing Jewish homes, schools, and businesses, committing arson at multiple locations such as a Maroubra childcare centre, and fabricating the Dural caravan bomb plot.

Yesterday, authorities described the caravan plot as an elaborate ruse; an attempt to manipulate the legal system. The discovery of 40kg of explosives in the abandoned vehicle initially led to fears of a terrorist attack, but police now believe it was staged by criminals attempting to negotiate plea deals by providing “information” in exchange for leniency.

“None of the individuals we have arrested… have displayed any form of antisemitic ideology,” NSW Police deputy commissioner David Hudson said Monday after the raids. “I think these organised crime figures have taken an opportunity to play off the vulnerability of the Jewish community,” he added.

“It was about causing chaos within the community, causing threat, causing angst, diverting police resources away from their day jobs to have them focus on matters that would allow them to get up to, engage in other criminal activity,” said deputy commissioner Hudson.

NSW Premier Chris Minns initially called the plot a “potential mass-casualty event” but later acknowledged that it was an organised crime scam. “The terror and fear that was struck by these individuals was real,” Minns said, explaining his earlier warnings. “It still happened, and it was appalling for the community, particularly the Jewish community in NSW.”

Labor has accused Peter Dutton of playing into the hands of organised criminals by amplifying the threat posed by the caravan. On Monday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke criticised the opposition leader for making “reckless” statements about the plot, including his claim that it would have “been the most catastrophic terrorist attack in our country’s history”.

Other Arrests

Police raids across Sydney netted 14 suspects, with wide-ranging charges linked to the antisemitic attacks:

• Nicholas Alexander (31) – Allegedly prepared stolen cars used in the crimes.
• Zac Hall (18) & Ryan Hughes (20) – Allegedly provided vehicles for an arson attack on a Maroubra childcare centre that caused $3 million in damage.
• Mohammed Hijazi (40) – Allegedly defaced multiple Jewish-owned properties with hate speech.
• Henry Masivoivoi (33) & Ford Powell (25) – Accused of spray-painting antisemitic graffiti on Jewish homes and cars.
• Anthony Tannous (23) – Accused of helping orchestrate firebombings and vandalism.
• A 26-year-old & a 27-year-old woman – Arrested for drug-related offences linked to the crime network.

Moosawi was refused bail, while other suspects remain before the courts.

Despite Moosawi’s arrest, police have not confirmed whether they have unmasked or arrested the true “James Bond” figure. Some investigators believe he is a separate high-ranking crime boss, possibly operating from overseas.

The coordinated antisemitic attacks in Sydney have deeply shaken the Jewish community, with leaders calling for swift justice and stronger measures against rising hatred.

Jeremy Leibler, President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, welcomed the arrests but warned the damage had already been done.

“Those arrested for their involvement in this spate of antisemitic attacks should face the full weight of the law. Let’s be clear; this wave of organised attacks was intended to rip apart the Jewish community’s social cohesion and sense of safety, and the perpetrators largely have achieved that aim.”

Leibler blamed a rise in intolerance for enabling such crimes.

“These attacks only happened because of the rise in intolerance and hatred in Australia that has been allowed to fester. Clearly, they were intended to leverage that hatred in order to spread fear. We must double down on our efforts to ensure the hatred of Jews is not normalised or rationalised.”

While welcoming the investigation, he called for further action.

“While the arrests provide some answers and relief, we await further updates about the horrific firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.”

With the Dural caravan hoax exposed, police are now focusing on who orchestrated the deception and why. Moosawi and several others deny all charges and will fight their cases in court.