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The Case Of

12 The Two Intruders | The thing about the ‘Mr Big’ sting

4/21/202635 min

You asked, and now we can finally unpack the controversial undercover operation that police used to pursue Steve Fabriczy — a 'Mr Big' sting.

In this episode, Elizabeth Byrne and ABC Unravel reporter Alicia Bridges explain how the method works, its weaknesses, and why it has faced restrictions in other countries.

If you have any questions you'd like Liz, and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au.

The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.

Clips

Why Mr Big Concerns Exist
Why We Didn’t Say ‘Mr Big’
Inside Fabrizi’s Sting Journey
This Case Was Different
Defense Flips The Script
Guardrails: Australia vs Canada
Isn’t This Entrapment?
How Crucial Was Mr Big?
Should Police Use It?

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Stephen Stockwell· Host0:00

    When energy costs jump, everyone feels it, at the bowser, on the power bill, and across the economy.

  2. Alan Kohler0:06

    I'm Alan Kohler.

  3. Stephen Stockwell· Host0:06

    And I'm Carrington Clark. On ABC Business Daily's Fuel Cast, we break down the latest in fuel, energy, and the forces driving prices.

  4. Alan Kohler0:15

    It's a quick, clear update on what's moving, why it matters, and what it can mean for your wallet and the wider economy.

  5. Stephen Stockwell· Host0:22

    Find Fuel Cast in the ABC Business Daily feed, on ABC Listen, or wherever you get your podcasts.

  6. Elizabeth Byrne· Guest0:27

    [upbeat music] ABC Listen, podcasts, radio, news, music, and more.

  7. Stephen Stockwell· Host0:33

    [mysterious music] To find out who was at Irma's house when she was killed, police built a fake criminal network around one of the suspects, a scheme known as a Mr. Big. But as a lot of you have pointed out, it is a controversial method, so we're gonna find out why. I'm Stephen Stockwell. This is episode 12 of the Case of the Two Intruders.

  8. Elizabeth Byrne· Guest1:02

    Irma Polascik's brutal murder rocked her family and has haunted them for 24 long years. This wasn't the average robbery.

  9. Stephen Stockwell· Host1:09

    The brutality of the attack shocked the community.

  10. Elizabeth Byrne· Guest1:12

    They were virtually tortured that night.

  11. Stephen Stockwell· Host1:15

    Violently assaulted before the two men ransacked the premises and stole cash and jewelry.

  12. Elizabeth Byrne· Guest1:21

    My grandparents were beaten, and my grandmother was left to die on the lounge room floor.

  13. Stephen Stockwell· Host1:26

    We have never made an episode based around

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