Bassam Hamzy: The crime boss behind bars in Australia

In the case of the Australian criminal underworld, very few individuals’ names are as notorious as that of Bassam Hamzy. His story continues to shock and fascinate Australians. Amongst the major areas of discussion related to his life, there are: the man’s background, his elevation to power, the extent of his illegal activities, and the impact he still has on the country’s crime scene.

Bassam Hamzy: The boss behind bars

Bassam Hamzy is a Lebanese-Australian criminal whose notoriety reached its maximum height in the late 1990s when he was sentenced to death for murder. He was born and raised in Sydney and belonged to a family that was well-established in the community, but eventually, as a child, he was already attracted to and involved in crime and violence.

In 1998, he was charged with the murder of a minor in front of a nightclub in Sydney, and his long-lasting imprisonment began then. While he was still behind bars, he had already been working toward forming the most unstable and powerful underground inmate gangs in Australian prisons, the so-called Brothers for Life (B4L) gang.

Founding of the brothers for life gang

The rise of a prison empire

In the early 2000s, during his incarceration at Goulburn Supermax, Hamzy established the Brothers for Life, which began simply as a brotherhood based on unity among detainees of Lebanese descent. However, it quickly progressed into an organised crime syndicate involved in drug trafficking, shootings, and extortion in different locations across Sydney. 

The gang operated under a code of loyalty. Feuds among Brothers for Life associates were violent. Even from within the confines of the prison, Hamzy allegedly coordinated the gang’s activities using contraband mobile phones to issue commands to his associates outside of prison. 

Key features of the B4L gang

• Primarily operated from the suburbs of southwest Sydney, including Bankstown and Auburn. 
• Engaged in turf wars with rival gangs such as the Comanchero bikie gang. 
• Members of the gang frequently used tattoos and Islamic references to identify themselves as members. 
• Emerged as a strong focus of the NSW Police Strike Force Raptor operations.

Criminal activities and charges

Hamzy has a long history of crime that includes murder, plotting to murder, kidnapping and distributing large amounts of drugs. Furthermore, there have been a number of investigations over the years and even while under maximal security, investigations showed that Hamzy was still controlling and running a variety of criminal networks.

Notable criminal charges

• 1998: Convicted of murder for killing a person in a nightclub.
• 2008–2012: Involved in the drug supply chain worth millions of dollars.
• 2014: Affiliated with violent gang wars that resulted in injuries and deaths to many individuals.
• 2025: Allegedly involved in an offshore business from prison.

Investigative authorities claim that Hamzy’s ability to communicate from a prison facility and direct criminal activity led to law enforcement categorising him as Australia’s first “extreme high-risk” inmate, which resulted in him being extremely limited in his communication and mobility.

Life behind bars

Bassam Hamzy has taken up residence in some of the hardest prisons in Australia for most of his adult life, including Goulburn Supermax, where he is monitored 24 hours a day.

During his years in prison, Hamzy converted to Islam, a decision that reportedly influenced his daily routine, beliefs, and interactions with fellow inmates

He has launched several different lawsuits against the prison system regarding the conditions of his treatment in custody, including accusations of religious discrimination and long periods of isolation from other inmates. In one prominent case in 2017, Hamzy sued the NSW government after being allegedly forced to pray in English instead of Arabic.

Daily prison restrictions

• Restrictive isolation in a high-security cell, for up to 23 hours a day.
• Visitation rights from family members are put in place.
• All correspondence, including mail and phone calls, is monitored by corrective services.
• Frequent searches of the cell due to the perceived existence of contraband items.

Controversial Belize resort plans

In 2025, Australian media reported on recordings allegedly of Hamzy discussing establishing a multi-million dollar offshore business enterprise in Belize regarding a luxury resort named “Boss City”. This sparked concern and debate in law enforcement circles regarding the legality of the proposed business venture.

Although in prison, Hamzy was reportedly communicating with contacts overseas regarding possible investment, associated construction or profit sharing related to the resort. Subsequently, the government of Belize, which had allegedly denied any registered project by that name, raised speculation as to whether the proposed process was legitimate business or whether it was simply another front for some form of criminal enterprise.

Impact on Australian crime and society

Hamzy’s continuing influence

Hamzy’s legacy continues to hold weight in Australia’s criminal landscape decades after his conviction. The Brothers for Life gang has fractured into splinter gangs; however, many still claim allegiance or loyalty to Hamzy’s authority.

The ongoing gang-related shootings and drug turf wars in the western suburbs of Sydney are, either directly or indirectly, linked to the ongoing legacy of his criminal enterprise.

Broader social impact

• Brought about national scrutiny of prison security, especially involving organised crime.
• Impacted NSW policies concerning the monitoring of high-risk prisoners.
• Drew attention to issues/culture of organised crime and gangs in prisons.

Public perception and media coverage

Bassam Hamzy has become emblematic of Australia’s wrestle with organised crime. His name is regularly referenced in documentaries, articles, and updates from the courts. Australians seem to be equally divided on the character and image of Hamzy; it’s either that he is a plain and simple prominent criminal and a dangerous crime boss or a victim of the prison system and a lost youth of Sydney’s immigrant community. 

The public interest in Hamzy is greater than it has ever been before. Media organisations, including ABC News, The Sydney Morning Herald and news.com.au, have taken a deep dive into his story, which often revolves around the relationship between crime, race, and social identity in contemporary Australia.

Current status (As of 2025)

Bassam Hamzy continues to serve his time in a maximum-security prison in NSW as one of Australia’s most dangerous inmates. He has no possibility for parole, and he continues to add new charges related to crime syndicates. 

In September 2025, another inmate was charged with attacking Hamzy in prison, demonstrating how volatile relevant environments continue to be decades later.

The man behind brothers 4 life – key details

• Full name: Bassam Hamzy
• Origin: Lebanese-Australian
• Notable gang: Established Brothers for Life (B4L)
• Convictions: Murder, conspiratorial murder, trafficking drugs 
• Imprisonment: Goulburn Supermax, NSW
• Religion: Islam (converted in jail)
• Parole eligibility: 2035 potentially

Conclusion 

The story of Bassam Hamzy stands out as one of the most infamous and intricate chapters in Australia’s criminal history. His power in Australia’s most secure prison exposes major vulnerabilities in public sector justice and corrections systems. 

To many Australians, Hamzy serves as a reminder of what the intersection of crime, identity and power entails, not only of the underworld, but also of public debate around concepts such as rehabilitation, punishment and justice.