Australian Construction Executive Targeted in Alleged $6.6M Extortion Plot
Court footage reveals death threats while charges against three co-accused are dismissed.
1Confrontation at Melbourne Cafe
CCTV footage presented in Melbourne Magistrates' Court captured four men confronting a prominent construction executive outside Flemington's Mama Bear Cafe. The December 2024 encounter involved Amir Teymoori allegedly issuing explicit death threats against the director and his family over an unpaid multi-million-dollar demand.
2Unwarranted Union Brokerage Claim
Prosecutors alleged that Teymoori demanded 6.6 million dollars from the building company, claiming the sum represented payment for brokering industrial peace with the CFMEU. The firm firmly denied ever engaging Teymoori, while police investigations confirmed his supposed union mediator credentials were completely fabricated.
3Court Dismisses Co-Accused Charges
Magistrate Stephen Ballek dismissed extortion charges against three associates: Daniel Van Camp, Gazanfer Bekirovski, and Travers Grubb. The court found insufficient evidence proving they actively participated in or endorsed Teymoori's death threats, delivering a significant blow to law enforcement's construction integrity taskforce.
4Key Figures and Background
Daniel Van Camp, whose charges were dropped, is the son of John Van Camp, a former union official and industrial relations executive at Grocon. While Van Camp warned the victim that the issue was not going away, legal thresholds for criminal complicity were not met.
5Prior Office Intimidation Attempts
Additional CCTV showed Teymoori, Grubb, and Van Camp visiting a Cremorne corporate office in October 2024 alongside former bikie Jonny Walker. Walker was questioned by the anti-extortion Hawk Taskforce but ultimately faced no criminal charges after providing a no-comment police interview.
6Deception and Fraud Allegations
Beyond extortion with a threat to kill, Teymoori faces charges of attempting to obtain property by deception. Police alleged he issued a fraudulent corporate invoice to the builder before physically visiting company headquarters in Cremorne to demand immediate executive settlement on October 28, 2024.
7Victim Details Unambiguous Coercion
Under rigorous cross-examination by defense counsel Damian Sheales, the protected construction manager stood by his testimony. He emphasized that the group's street approach was entirely unwelcome, stating that Teymoori unambiguously threatened severe physical violence against him and his household if payment was withheld.
8Impending County Court Trial
Teymoori entered formal not guilty pleas and was committed to stand trial at the County Court in November. The proceeding underscores ongoing tensions surrounding illicit intermediaries claiming union influence, highlighting governance vulnerabilities within Victoria's heavily contested commercial building and development sector.