Police hunt for menacing letter writer who calls themselves ‘Scorpio’

Police are urging the public to help find a person who has dubbed themselves “Scorpio” and sent more than 100 menacing letters to politicians, community leaders and religious organisations over the past decade.

In a rare release of evidence, Australian Federal Police and NSW Police have released examples of the unknown author’s handwriting, including the “prominent capitalisation” of the letters “F”, “L”, “T”, “N” and “H” and the use of the pseudonyms Scorpio and Bullit.

“We have very real concerns about the content of these letters, and people in public life deserve to go about their jobs or careers without being subject to harassment or threats,” AFP superintendent Nathan Robertson said in a statement.

“Our investigations are into allegations of criminal behaviour, but we also have concerns about whether the person responsible for them has access to appropriate health and support services.”

One letter excerpt provided by the AFP depicts a smiling face with what appears to be the print of two Winchester bullets stamped onto the paper in place of eyes.

Investigators believe the offender is caucasian and in their 60s, and have urged the public to provide any information should they recognise the symbols or names used in the letters that relate to someone of that physical profile.

“We are determined to bring this person to account because their behaviour is certainly offensive and at times threatening, and people deserve to be able to go about their work without being subjected to threats,” NSW Police Force Acting Superintendent John Walke said.

The release comes less than a week after Australian Security Intelligence Organisation chief Mike Burgess revealed he was working with the government to overhaul the nation’s terror threat warning system, which he said was currently underestimating the seriousness of the dangers Australians face.

Currently, the nation’s terror threat level remains at probable, meaning a greater than 50 per cent chance of an onshore attack occurring or being planned within the next 12 months. Following years of calls to “lower the temperature” of public discourse, Burgess said the current threat system was not designed for Australia’s present situation.

The AFP said the letters had been written to state and federal politicians, and the release of the information comes after a raft of threats and intimidation made against MPs.

In January, Gregory Williams Tait faced charges of using a carriage service to threaten, harass or intimidate Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The AFP said Tait’s alleged threats contained “multiple threats to kill” the prime minister.

Another man, Karin Mohamed Salem, appeared before NSW court the same month, accused of allegedly threatening to shoot Albanese in a social media post.

The next month, Albanese was forced to evacuate his official Canberra residence, The Lodge, to allow police to search the premises following a security threat.