An organised crime network in Australia fabricated a plot to attack a synagogue in order to divert law enforcement resources, according to police. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) announced on Monday that the discovery of explosives in a caravan parked in Sydney was part of a “criminal con job” and not a legitimate terrorist attack.
The caravan, discovered in January, contained enough explosives to create a blast wave of 40 meters (130 feet). However, authorities quickly determined that the plot was fabricated by criminals, as the explosives were clearly visible, and no detonator was found, suggesting there was never any intent to attack Jewish targets.
“The caravan was never going to cause a mass casualty event but instead was concocted by criminals who wanted to cause fear for personal benefit,” said Krissy Barrett, AFP’s deputy commissioner for national security.
AFP’s investigation, named Operation Kissinger, has identified several individuals involved in the fake terrorism plot, and the police are working with local and international law enforcement to bring them to justice.
Authorities decided to release the information to the public to reassure Sydney’s Jewish community. New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson explained that the plot was designed to cause chaos, threaten the community, and divert police resources from their regular duties, allowing criminals to carry out other illegal activities.
While the AFP’s counterterrorism unit had initially considered releasing the information earlier, it had been receiving tip-offs about other possible terror plots. However, after further investigation, they are now confident that these tip-offs were also fabricated and linked to the same organised crime group.
Australia has experienced a rise in anti-Semitic attacks in recent months, with synagogues, schools, and Jewish homes targeted by vandalism and arson. Barrett condemned the fake plot, calling it a “chilling effect” on the Jewish community and emphasizing that the actions of the criminals were reprehensible.
“What organised crime has done to the Jewish community is reprehensible, and it won’t go without consequence,” she said. “There was also unwarranted suspicion directed at other communities – and that is also reprehensible.”
