The alleged murder plot started on August 10, with an advert shared by a person using the name “Sponge Jobb” on the encrypted messaging service Signal, offering $60,000 in cryptocurrency for a hitman
Two twins from Merseyside were the targets of an alleged murder-for-hire scheme in Cyprus, leading to the arrest of eight individuals from across Europe.
The supposed murder plot kicked off on August 10, with an advert posted by an individual going by the alias “Sponge Jobb” on the encrypted messaging service Signal. The advert claimed a hitman was required for a job within the European Union, offering $60,000 worth of cryptocurrency as payment.
A Danish police officer, posing as a potential hitman, responded to the advert, sparking an international criminal investigation, according to CIReN. This led to a cross-border operation resulting in the detention of eight individuals from three different countries in Cyprus. An Irish man and two Danish nationals were the first to be arrested on August 27.
These arrests were thought to have put an end to the murder-for-hire scheme, but Swedish police soon shared information that a suspected hitman from Sweden had landed in Cyprus.
Alongside another Swede, the duo were placed under surveillance before being apprehended along with three other men, also from Sweden. A subsequent search revealed a pistol, medical masks and disposable gloves, reports the Liverpool Echo.
All five maintain their innocence, claiming they were simply holidaying in Cyprus. Cypriot media outlets have since reported that the Irish national denies any involvement in the murder plot, asserting he was paid to deliver an envelope containing €1,000 to a location in Ayia Napa.
It has also been reported how the undercover Danish officer was sent photographs of the brothers as well as given information about pistols and ammunition allegedly sourced from Turkey.
The ECHO reported the intended targets for the murder plot were brothers Jamie and Aaron Small from Liverpool. Since the plot was uncovered the pair have gone missing, with authorities trying to locate them.
Cypriot police officers have been in touch with Merseyside Police over the incident, with the brothers reported to have recently been on holiday in the country. It has been reported how police believe they were in Cyprus but have recently left the island. The brothers competed in MMA fighting in the city before leaving the country.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “The investigation sits with law enforcement in Cyprus. We are in contact with them to offer any support we can due to links with individuals from Merseyside.”
It comes after the Irish Times reported this week how the Irish suspect is linked to the McCarthy-Dundon gang, which is involved in drug trafficking and extortion in Limerick city, and has historic links to the Kinahan cartel.
Prosecutors claim he was responsible for liaising with the hitman and giving him money during his stay in Cyprus.
The 33-year-old is reported to have travelled the country from the UK on August 17 and denies any wrongdoing.
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