### Australian Police Deem Explosive-Laden Caravan as a Fabricated Hoax

### The Australian Federal Police have concluded that a caravan filled with explosives discovered earlier this year was part of a hoax concocted by criminals, which sparked public fear and targeted the Jewish community.

A caravan discovered in northwestern Sydney in January 2024, filled with explosives and bearing antisemitic messages, has been confirmed as a hoax by Australian Federal Police (AFP). The caravan's supposed threat—capable of producing a 40-meter-wide blast—was revealed to be part of an elaborate scheme orchestrated by criminals rather than a genuine terrorist plot. AFP Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett stated that investigators recognized the ruse "almost immediately," determining that the absence of a detonator and the caravan's conspicuous position indicated it was essentially a "criminal con job."

Authorities acted prudently, withholding the information that the plot was a hoax to maintain public safety as they continued to investigate other potential terror threats. It now appears that these leads may also have been fabricated. The caravan plot involved several individuals who conspired to load a caravan with explosives and antisemitic materials, planning to alert law enforcement about an impending attack against Jewish Australians. Barrett labeled the actions as a coordinated effort by organized crime and noted the significant distance of the plot's orchestrator from the frontline activities, employing local criminals to execute the scheme.

Furthermore, Barrett pointed out the insidious motivations behind such plots, highlighting that some criminals attempt to stage terror incidents to gain lenience in legal circumstances. She referenced another case where an individual sought high-powered weapons for a fake attack, aiming to barter information with authorities in exchange for a reduced sentence.

The fallout from this fabricated plot has had a detrimental effect on the Jewish community in Australia, reinforcing fears and suspicions. Barrett condemned the actions as despicable, stating that the unjust ramifications extend not just to the Jewish community, but also cast suspicion on other groups. In a separate operation, New South Wales police arrested 14 individuals related to ongoing investigations into antisemitic hate crimes across Sydney, initiated in response to a troubling rise in attacks on Jewish persons and properties, including vandalism and arson incidents.