Amazon has been labelled “the terrorist’s best friend” after selling all the parts required to build a deadly nail bomb — without proper security checks.
Components bought to make a deadly nail bomb kit are readily available from Amazon for £95Credit: The Sun
Amazon did nothing to halt the purchase or alert officials.
Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke said: “It shows once again that internet firms aren’t playing by the rules. I would go as far as to say that Amazon is aiding and abetting terrorism.”
The Sun has decided not to detail the components for the "Mother of Satan"-style IED in full.
Yet Amazon did nothing to alert authorities or halt our transaction.
Former Military Intelligence explosives expert Major Chris Hunter said: “The fact that The Sun has managed to buy all of this in one go is truly terrifying.
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The Sun has chosen to obscure some of the chemical purchased from the online retailerCredit: The Sun
“With relaxed security like this, Amazon really could be considered the terrorist’s best friend.”
He added: “This is really nasty stuff. The Sun’s managed to obtain lethal quantities of these chemicals that, when put together, could kill dozens and maim many more.
“Looking at all the material acquired, I estimate you’d be able to produce a device similar to those used on 7/7 which were able to destroy Tube carriages and a bus.
“How a multi-billion pound corporation can sell this without flagging it up to intelligence services beggars belief. They need to take a look at themselves and ensure it never happens again.”
Sun man Jonathan Reilly picking up the components for a 'Mother of Satan' nail bomb from a depotCredit: The Sun
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A similar style nail bomb was used at the Manchester Arena terror attack which killed 22 peopleCredit: London News Pictures
We used an account on Amazon set up that afternoon and bought the items, flagged on government warning lists.
No system kicked in to link our list of purchases and their potential use in making an IED.
It had taken our team minutes on Google to find details of ingredients required for a bomb.
Some of the chemicals we had delivered to an anonymous South London lock-up were used in both the 2015 Paris attacks and last year’s outrage in Brussels.
One item, hydrogen peroxide, is restricted for sale by the Home Office. But we were able to buy a repeat order on the site.
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The components to make the 'Mother of Satan'-style bomb were bought in one go from the online retailer
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Former Military Intelligence explosives expert Major Chris Hunter said Amazon should be more responsible with its selling of DIY bomb kitsCredit: The Sun
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He said the ingredients bought would make for a quick assemble of a deadly deviceCredit: The Sun
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Loopholes exposed by The Sun show Amazon is legally allowed to sell similar Manchester Arena DIY bomb kitsCredit: Reuters
Our purchases also included component parts including a pressure cooker, batteries and fairy lights.
The Government introduced extra checks to clamp down on the sale of suspicious chemicals after London’s 7/7 attacks.
But loopholes in current guidelines exposed by The Sun mean Amazon is technically free to sell and deliver the DIY bomb kits.
Will Geddes of security consultants ICP said: “The fact you have bought these things is terrifying.
“I’m astounded you got them from one source in a single batch. Amazon should have a system where, when these items are bought together, they notify the authorities.”
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The expert said the components are the same being used by ISIS and Al-Qaeda to make deadly high explosive devicesCredit: The Sun
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Fairy lights were also bought which when combined with the other materials would make for a deadly and potent deviceCredit: The Sun
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Major Hunter said if the components bought on Amazon were made into a device the impact would be on par with the deadly London 7/7 bombingsCredit: The Sun
Explosives expert Simon Trundle said: “The difficulty is when someone orders a known recipe for an IED and there is no trigger alert.
“To detect such purchases, online retailers would need to know the recipe for home-made explosive and write an algorithm to do so.”
Amazon said all the items we purchased were available legally and can be widely bought elsewhere.
For more on this story listen to Julia Hartley-Brewer
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A spokesman said: “We only sell products that comply with UK laws.
“In light of recent events, we are reviewing our website to ensure these products are presented in an appropriate manner.
"We also continue to work closely with police and law enforcement agencies where we can assist investigations.”
HYDROGEN peroxide has been classified as an “explosive precursor” since March last year and its sales have been restricted.
People hoping to buy it at super-strength or in bulk need a Home Office licence and photo ID. But this is harder to check online.
Mother of satan
EX-Army bomb disposal expert Chris Hunter said last night the ingredients bought by The Sun were exactly the same as those used by al-Qaeda and IS to make deadly weapons.
Chris said: “This kind of device is known as the ‘mother of Satan’.
“It is a very dangerous high explosive mixture that should not have been bought in a single order.
“In my professional opinion you could construct, relatively quickly, a device that would be on a level with the 7/7 bombings. If this device was on a tube, it would be carnage.
“A rapid expansion of heat, gas and light would hit people as if it was concrete.
“The algorithms Amazon uses help us as consumers to get the best products that we want and need.
“But when it comes to this, more needs to be done and Amazon needs to take more responsibility.”
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