Police Say Organized Crime Gang Fabricated Plan to Bomb Jewish Site to Divert Law Enforcement Resources
An organized crime network fabricated a plot to attack a synagogue in Australia in an effort 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.” The country has previously suspected criminal links to a surge in anti-Semitic crimes since the start of the Gaza war.
Authorities found the caravan, which contained enough explosives to create a 40-meter (130-foot) blast wave, in January. Police now say they quickly realized the explosives were fabricated by an organized crime network.
The AFP explained that the caravan had been easily located, with the explosives clearly visible and no detonator present, indicating 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, during a news conference. “Almost immediately, experienced investigators believed that the caravan was part of a fabricated terrorism plot—essentially a criminal con job.”
‘Chilling Effect’
In a statement on Monday, the AFP revealed that its investigation, named Operation Kissinger, has identified several individuals involved in the fake terrorism plot and is collaborating with local and international law enforcement to bring them to justice.
New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson stated that the information was released to provide reassurance to Sydney’s Jewish community. He explained, “[The plot] was about causing chaos within the community, causing threat, causing angst, diverting police resources away from their day jobs, to have them focus on matters that would allow [the criminals] to engage in other illegal activities.”
Australia’s counterterrorism unit had considered releasing information earlier but was receiving tip-offs about other related “terror plots.” However, the AFP now believes all these tip-offs were fabricated, and the caravan plot was an elaborate scheme orchestrated by organized criminals both domestically and offshore.
In recent months, Australia has experienced a surge in anti-Semitic attacks, with homes, schools, synagogues, and vehicles targeted by vandalism and arson, drawing criticism from Israel, a traditional ally.
Barrett emphasized that the fake caravan plot had a “chilling effect” on the Jewish community, stating, “What organized crime has done to the Jewish community is reprehensible, and it won’t go without consequence. There was also unwarranted suspicion directed at other communities—and that is also reprehensible.”
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