‘We’re after you’: Melbourne nightclub owners receive chilling text threatening to ‘not stop until we get what we want’.

Multiple venue operators across Melbourne already reeling from a crime crisis have received a chilling WhatsApp message threatening the sender will “not stop until we get what we want”.

More than 30 firebombing, shootings, kidnappings and home invasions have been linked to the crime spree on Melbourne’s nightlife over the last couple of months.

A WhatsApp message, sent from an international number, has delivered a frightening warning to multiple venue operators over the last week.

The message warned the attacks would “not stop until we get what we want”.

Venue operators’ families were threatened, along with their “businesses, homes, and souls”.

“Hello. If you got (sic) this message, Were (sic) after you, your family, your businesses, homes and souls,” the message, reported by the Herald Sun, read.

“We will take it by force if you don’t comply. The police can’t help you. It’s inevitable. We won’t stop till we get what we want.

“Thank you.”

An Iraqi-based crime gang, allegedly working under the order of a group called ‘the Cartel’, is considered a prime suspect for the source of the messages, The Age reports. 

The Age also reports a 23-year-old Australian living in Baghdad, who fled to the Middle East the day after a failed hit on underworld figure Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdul Rahim, is linked to the gang.

Law enforcement placed an international alert on him shortly after he fled.

Police say investigations into the WhatsApp text message are ongoing. 

CBD venue La Di Da nightclub was the latest to be targeted in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Emergency services were called to a fire at the venue, on the corner of King and Little Bourke Streets, at about 3.30am. 

No one was inside the venue at the time of the incident.

Officers were told a vehicle was seen leaving the premises. 

The fire is being treated as suspicious and will be reviewed by detectives from Operation Eclipse, which was established last month in response to the series of attacks. 

“Operation Eclipse was established last month to target a range of serious and organised crime syndicates believed to be involved in a series of offending linked to hospitality venues, as well as determining the motive for these attacks,” a statement read. 

“Police remain open to a range of possibilities in relation to the motive and we encourage anyone with information to come forward.”