Sydney man charged over fake injury claim from Bondi Beach attack

New South Wales police arrested a 46-year-old Indian citizen on Tuesday for allegedly faking an injury from the December 2025 Bondi Beach terror attack to secure financial compensation.

The suspect, identified by The Daily Telegraph as Simaxwell Cyril, claimed he was struck by shrapnel during the shooting that killed 15 people. Police stated that Cyril filed fraudulent compensation claims based on this false account, though the specific amount he sought has not been disclosed. The arrest occurred at a police station in Parramatta, western Sydney, and he was subsequently charged with publishing false or misleading information to obtain a benefit and making a false representation that triggered a police investigation.

The suspicion against Cyril emerged during a separate homicide squad inquiry into police actions during the attack. Detectives noticed inconsistencies in his story while gathering evidence. Under the joint federal and state assistance program, eligible victims of the massacre can receive a one-time payment of 35,000 Australian dollars, along with grants for medical and financial losses. Cyril was released on bail with restrictive conditions and is scheduled to appear at Parramatta Local Court on November 18.

Cyril faced additional legal complications following his release on bail. Australian immigration authorities detained him for allegedly staying in the country past his visa expiration. He has been transferred to the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre and is expected to be deported from Australia.

The incident drew sharp criticism from Australia’s Jewish community, which remains in the process of recovering from the attack. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, called the alleged fraud an abhorrent act. He told the Nine Network that diverting police resources to investigate false claims while the community faces security threats is a major concern.

The original attack took place on December 14, 2025, when Sajid Akram and his son Naveed opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration. Fifteen people, ranging in age from 10 to 87, were killed, and about 40 others were injured. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police, while his son, now 25, was arrested and charged. A hearing for Naveed Akram, who faces 78 charges including 15 counts of murder, was postponed by Judge Karen Stafford until February 2027 to allow time for victim consultations.

Police confirmed that the investigation into the compensation fraud will proceed independently of the terrorism case against the Akram family.