FARHAD QAUMI: The Afghan Gangster Who Waged War on Sydney

From the war-torn skies of Kabul to the blood-soaked streets of Sydney, the story of Farhad Qaumi is a chilling saga of power, violence, and survival. Created by True Crime Narrator, this gripping tale traces the journey of a young refugee who transformed into one of Australia's most feared underworld figures. Through calculated brutality and military-like precision, Qaumi built an empire that ruled with terror — until his downfall became inevitable.

Table of Contents

• From Childhood Trauma to Early Crimes
• The Blaxcell Street Shooting and Flight to Perth
• Cold Case Reopened: The Mystery of Cengiz Sarak
• Rise of the Blacktown Brothers for Life
• Blood on Bardo Circuit: The Assassination Attempt
• Operation Retaliation and the Police Takedown
• The Final Reckoning: Conviction and Legacy
• Frequently Asked Questions

From Childhood Trauma to Early Crimes

Farhad Qaumi’s story begins in 1993, when his family fled Afghanistan amid Soviet bombings and decades of war. Seven-year-old Farhad witnessed the destruction firsthand as bombs razed his schoolyard, an experience that forever altered his understanding of power and violence.

Upon arriving in Australia, the Qaumi family was resettled in Auburn, one of Western Sydney’s toughest suburbs. Farhad’s early years were marked by broken systems and broken homes, environments that only deepened his trauma. By the age of fourteen, he had already crossed into crime — from bag snatching to robberies and muggings — each offense escalating in desperation and violence.

Despite psychologists’ efforts and trauma counseling, Farhad remained haunted by nightmares and illiteracy. By nineteen, his criminal record was established, and in 2002, he faced a serious accusation of sexual assault. Although the case was dropped, the police kept a close watch.

The Blaxcell Street Shooting and Flight to Perth

Farhad’s criminal path took a darker turn on 29 March 2006. His paranoia and thirst for control culminated in a confrontation with Ali Mobayad, a local preacher. When Mobayad shared the incident with friends Bassam Chami and Ibrahim Assad, violence erupted on Blacksell Street. A brutal shooting left both men dead, and Farhad vanished into the night.

Fleeing west to Perth, Farhad changed his appearance and identity, living under false names while his girlfriend worked as an escort. However, after six weeks, police apprehended his girlfriend first, whose phone calls led to Farhad’s arrest. He spent three years in prison awaiting trial, maintaining his innocence and claiming self-defense. The jury ultimately acquitted him, cementing his new nickname: “The Afghan” — the killer who beat the justice system.

Cold Case Reopened: The Mystery of Cengiz Sarak

In 2011, veteran detective Justin Harris revisited a cold case: the disappearance of Turkish drug dealer Cengiz Sarak in 2005. Rumors pointed to Farhad Kaomi’s involvement, alleging abduction and execution, but no body or forensic evidence ever surfaced. Harris discovered that key leads had been ignored, and a search was launched, captivating Sydney’s public attention via live media coverage.

Though bones were found, they were animal remains, and the trail went cold again. Yet, Farhad was unshaken. A slip during a phone call hinted at violence against Sarak, and a former associate agreed to testify against him. In 2012, Farhad was arrested and charged with Sarak’s murder.

Rise of the Blacktown Brothers for Life

While awaiting trial, Farhad aligned himself with Bassam Hamzy, founder of the notorious Brothers for Life gang. Hamzy, disillusioned with his gang’s current leadership, saw in Farhad a disciplined, violent, and ambitious leader. Soon, Farhad was entrusted with expanding the gang’s influence.

With $10,000 seed funding from Hamzy, Farhad partnered with Ramin, a seasoned biker lieutenant. Together, they forged a paramilitary-style gang, complete with strict hierarchy:

• Farhad as the General
• His brothers Mumtaz and Jamil as deputies
• Ramin as the enforcer, handling conflict with brutal efficiency

The gang’s headquarters was a converted warehouse — a fortress with leather lounges, chandeliers, CCTV, disco lights, gym equipment, and a pool table. Saturday meetings were mandatory, focusing on drug shipments, raids, rival intelligence, and discipline.

Blood on Bardo Circuit: The Assassination Attempt

Power struggles ignited war within the gang. Farhad’s rival, “Little Crazy” LC, was reckless and undisciplined — traits Farhad despised. After failed attempts to control LC, Farhad ordered his elimination.

On 28 October 2013, an ambush in Revesby Heights left Mahmud Hamzy dead and LC wounded but alive. Farhad carefully orchestrated the attack, ensuring he had an alibi by placing himself under CCTV surveillance.

LC’s survival sparked retaliation. Within days, a deadly gang war erupted across Sydney, with shootings happening nightly and innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. Farhad’s gang became a lethal death squad, targeting rivals with ruthless precision.

Operation Retaliation and the Police Takedown

The escalating violence drew intense police scrutiny. Surveillance teams tapped every phone and tracked every member, while Farhad spiraled but remained steps ahead. Ignoring police warnings, he fled to Thailand, leaving his brothers to continue the bloodshed.

Rumors of informants and betrayals fueled panic within the gang. Meanwhile, police made significant arrests, dismantling the Blacktown and Bankstown chapters of Brothers for Life. The final blow came with a New Year’s Day assassination attempt on Farhad himself — he survived, but the message was clear: his time was up.

The Final Reckoning: Conviction and Legacy

By mid-2014, the gang war had quieted, but behind the scenes, police pieced together an airtight case. They connected every shooting, drug deal, and conspiracy, shifting the focus from who pulled the trigger to who ordered the hits.

In June 2017, Farhad Kaomi was convicted on fifteen offenses, including contract killings, mistaken identity murders, and the accidental shooting of a teenage girl. He received a 60-year prison sentence with a non-parole period of 43 years.

The judge described him as a man of calculated violence who built a kingdom forged from blood, loyalty, and fear — a kingdom that collapsed under its own weight, just like his ego.

Farhad Kaomi came from war, and he brought that war with him to Sydney. Ultimately, it was not bombs or bullets that ended his reign, but the fatal belief that he was unstoppable — a belief that proved to be wrong.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Farhad Kaomi?

Farhad Kaomi, also known as "The Afghan," was an Afghan-born gang leader who rose to power in Sydney’s criminal underworld. He structured his gang like a military force and was involved in numerous violent crimes.

What was the Brothers for Life gang?

Brothers for Life is a violent outlaw motorcycle gang in Sydney. Under Farhad’s leadership, the gang adopted a paramilitary structure and engaged in a brutal gang war against rivals.

How did Farhad Kaomi evade the justice system initially?

Farhad was acquitted of murder charges in 2009 after claiming self-defense. A combination of witness intimidation, lack of evidence, and legal strategy helped him beat the system early on.

What led to Farhad Kaomi’s eventual conviction?

Police gathered extensive evidence linking Farhad to multiple murders and attacks, focusing on his role as the orchestrator rather than the shooter. This comprehensive case led to his conviction in 2017.

Does Farhad Kaomi still hold influence behind bars?

While this remains a topic of speculation, Farhad’s conviction and long sentence have significantly diminished his direct control over the gang and Sydney’s underworld.