Indian citizen tried to defraud Australian authorities and faked injury in Hanukkah attack at Bondi Beach
New South Wales police arrested a 46-year-old Indian citizen on suspicion of faking an injury in the Hanukkah attack at Bondi Beach to receive compensation. The suspect, Simxwell Cyril, was also arrested by immigration authorities on suspicion of visa violation.
New South Wales police in Australia announced the arrest of an Indian citizen, Simxwell Cyril (46), on suspicion of attempting to defraud authorities by faking an injury in the Hanukkah attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, in order to receive financial compensation intended for victims of the attack. According to the suspicion, Cyril made a false statement claiming he was injured by shrapnel in the shooting attack on December 14, 2025, in which 15 people were killed, and filed fraudulent compensation claims. The amount of the claims was not published. The suspicion was uncovered by chance during a separate investigation by the homicide department. Cyril was released on bail but was arrested again by immigration authorities on suspicion of overstaying his visa, and he is expected to be deported. The Jewish community in Australia condemned the attempted fraud.