Australian police have debunked a supposed terror plot involving a caravan loaded with explosives and the address of a Sydney synagogue, saying the incident was nothing more than an elaborate con devised by organized criminals to divert police resources.
In January, authorities discovered a caravan containing explosives capable of generating a blast wave of up to 40 metres (130 feet), along with a note bearing the address of a local synagogue. However, on Monday, officials clarified that the incident was part of a fabricated terrorism plot.
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“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, Deputy Commissioner for National Security with the Australian Federal Police. “Almost immediately, experienced investigators believed that the caravan was part of a fabricated terrorism plot – essentially a criminal con job.”
Police suspect that the orchestrated scheme was designed to create chaos within the community and divert law enforcement efforts away from routine duties, thereby providing criminals with an opportunity to pursue other illicit activities. New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson stressed that, while no arrests have been made yet, the investigation is focusing on a suspect connected to an organized crime network.
Authorities emphasized that the absence of a detonator and the swift recovery of the caravan underscored that there was never any genuine intent to target the Jewish community. The police made the announcement in part to reassure the local community, which has been on edge following a series of antisemitic incidents, including vandalism and arson targeting homes, schools, synagogues, and vehicles in recent months.