By Fatma Younis
A 46-year-old man has been charged in Sydney with falsely claiming he was wounded during the Hanukkah celebration shooting at Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025, in an attempt to obtain victims' compensation, police said Wednesday.
Fraud charge details
The suspect, whose name has not been released, was charged on Tuesday with publishing misleading material to obtain financial advantage and false representation resulting in a police investigation. He claimed to have been among the approximately 40 people wounded when two gunmen opened fire, killing 15 people aged 10 to 87. Police released him on bail to appear in a Sydney court on November 18.
Alleged gunman's trial postponed
In a separate development, the trial of Naveed Akram, 25, the surviving alleged gunman, was adjourned until February 24. Akram faces 78 charges, including 15 counts of murder, 43 of attempted murder, and one count of committing a terrorist act. His father, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police during the attack. Prosecutors requested more time to consult with victims and their relatives before certifying charges for the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Judge Karen Stafford granted the adjournment without objection from defense lawyers.
Community reaction
Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, condemned the alleged fraud as despicable, saying it diverted police resources at a time when the community still faces security challenges. The state government had offered up to 5,000 Australian dollars for injured victims and up to 30,000 Australian dollars for economic loss, with additional assistance for urgent health expenses.
