Melbourne gang members use secret hand signals in court
Melbourne gang members are using a bespoke system of hand signals, gestures, and mouthed words to communicate during court proceedings via video link. During a joint hearing for a four-man crew, two members in separate prisons were observed conducting multi-day conversations that justice authorities have been unable to translate.
The crew is accused of violent crimes linked to the state’s “tobacco war,” including the kidnapping of a tobacco shop owner, a home invasion to steal firearms, and making threats to kill. Allegations also include the use of GPS trackers on targets' vehicles.
Experts have noted that this secret language is not Auslan, the official Australian Sign Language used by the deaf community.
Entities
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The accused individuals were arrested in August 2025. www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au · www.smh.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] An expert reviewed the signs and confirmed they are not Auslan, the Australian Sign Language used by the deaf community. www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au · www.smh.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] The accused allegedly used GPS trackers on their targets' vehicles before carrying out missions. www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au · www.smh.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] Two gang members used video links during a joint hearing to communicate via hand signals and gestures. www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au · www.smh.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] Police and prison sources state they are unable to translate the bespoke sign language used by the gang members. www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au · www.smh.com.au
- [● 3 SOURCES] A four-man crew is accused of kidnapping a tobacco shop owner and staging a home invasion to steal firearms. www.brisbanetimes.com.au · www.theage.com.au · www.smh.com.au