Indian man charged with faking Bondi Beach attack injury

A 46-year-old Indian citizen was charged in New South Wales on Wednesday with attempting to defraud authorities by claiming he was injured during the December 14, 2025, attack at Bondi Beach. Police announced that Simaxwell Cyril allegedly fabricated his story to secure financial compensation designated for victims of the massacre.

The Daily Telegraph identified Cyril as the suspect. He claimed he was struck by shrapnel during the shooting that killed 15 people. Although the specific amount he sought was not disclosed, the state and federal governments operate a program that provides a one-time payment of 35,000 Australian dollars to eligible victims wounded by gunfire or shrapnel. The package also includes recognition grants and coverage for medical and financial losses.

Detectives from the New South Wales Police Homicide Squad discovered the fraud while reviewing police actions during the attack. This review was separate from the main terrorism investigation targeting the perpetrators. While gathering evidence, officers grew suspicious of Cyril’s account and his subsequent compensation claims. They arrested him on Tuesday morning at a police station in Parramatta, located in western Sydney.

Cyril was charged with publishing false or misleading information to obtain a benefit and making a false representation that triggered a police investigation. He was released on bail with restrictive conditions and must appear at Parramatta Local Court on November 18.

His legal issues extended beyond the fraud charges. After his release, Australian immigration authorities detained him on suspicion of staying in the country past his visa expiration. He was transferred to the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre and is expected to be deported.

The Jewish community in Australia reacted strongly to the allegations. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told the Nine Network that diverting police resources to investigate false claims while the community faces security threats is an abhorrent act that should be condemned.

The attack occurred on December 14, 2025, when Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed opened fire on hundreds of people attending a Hanukkah celebration. Fifteen people, aged between 10 and 87, died, and approximately 40 were injured. Police shot and killed Sajid Akram. His son was wounded, arrested, and charged.

A further hearing in the case against Naveed Akram took place on Wednesday, the same day the compensation fraud case was revealed. The 25-year-old faces 78 charges, including 15 counts of murder, 43 counts of attempted murder, and committing a terrorist act. Judge Karen Stafford postponed the hearing until February 2027 to allow time for consultations with victims and their families.

Police stated that the investigation into Cyril would not affect the proceedings against Akram. The separate investigations are proceeding independently.