Man charged after allegedly faking injuries for Bondi massacre payout
A man who claimed he was hit by shrapnel during the deadly Bondi mass shooting was allegedly not even in the suburb when the attack took place.
The alleged terror attack on a crowd of people celebrating Hanukkah in December left 15 people dead, including a 10-year-old girl, and dozens more injured.
A memorial for the victims at Bondi Beach. Getty
On Tuesday morning, homicide squad detectives, who’ve been carrying out a critical incident investigation into the actions of police on the day, arrested Indian national Simexwell Cyril, 46, at Parramatta police station.
Police allege the 46-year-old submitted a claim stating he had been wounded by shrapnel during the attack.
However, investigators allege he was completely uninjured and was not even in Bondi at the time of the terror attack.
The NSW government established a $35,000 lump-sum compensation payment to assist victims and alleviate suffering following the deadly attack.
Cyril was charged with publishing false misleading material to obtain advantage and false representation resulting in a police investigation.
He was granted conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday.
However, he was immediately intercepted and taken into custody by Australian Border Force officers.
He was transferred directly to the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre, where authorities confirmed he faces deportation for overstaying his visa once his criminal matters are finalised before the courts.
A police officer at the scene of the mass shooting at Bondi Beach on December 14. Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the allegations were “shocking” news to wake up to.
“This is a despicable act, if it’s proven,” he told Today on Wednesday morning.
“To think that anyone would seek to exploit tragedy of this scale and cast themselves as a survivor or a victim when they weren’t there, and to use up police resources when we need police to be investigating matters and keeping us safe.
“Nearly a year on, we still have a lot of security challenges in the community and wider society.”
The fraud charges came on the same day the surviving alleged Bondi gunman, Naveed Akram, had his case mentioned in court.
He has been charged with 78 offences, including committing a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder and 43 counts of attempted murder, but has not yet been required to enter pleas to any of the charges against him.
His lawyer, Ethan Hogg, addressed the matter in court on Wednesday before proceedings were formally adjourned until February.
His 50-year-old father, Sajid, was shot dead by police during the incident.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
