An Australian woman has been arrested in connection with an alleged conspiracy to murder her parents, following a tip-off from a British journalist who conducted research on the dark web. The 26-year-old suspect from Canberra reportedly agreed to pay $20,000 (£11,000) to a hitman recruited for the killings, having already handed over $6,000 (£3,000), as revealed by Australian Capital Territory police.
The arrest took place after detectives received information in October from a British journalist working on an investigative series for the BBC. Police executed a raid on a residence in the Canberra suburb of Fadden on December 7, seizing computer equipment related to the investigation. However, it was later determined that the purported dark web hitman was a fraud.
The woman, accused of plotting to murder her parents—who are prominent businesspeople—for financial gain, now faces charges including two counts of attempted murder, inciting murder, burglary, and theft.
Acting Sergeant Beth McMullen emphasized the unusual nature of the case, highlighting the swift police response to ensure the safety of the parents and gather details about the daughter’s internet activity and bank records. She noted the increasing prevalence of online crime associated with the dark web.
McMullen stated, “We believe that the woman sought out the website herself and she made arrangements on that site, contacting somebody over the dark web, and making the payment. This was a complex investigation due to the report originating overseas, and being able to track and verify the dark web payment.”
The suspect’s parents, described as “shocked” by the revelation of the plot, are said to be cooperating with the ongoing investigation.