A 46-year-old Indian national has been charged by New South Wales Police over allegations that he falsely claimed to have suffered injuries during the December 2025 Bondi Beach terror attack in an attempt to obtain compensation.
The man, identified in media reports as Simexwell Cyril, is also being held in immigration detention after authorities reportedly found that he had overstayed his visa.
According to media reports, NSW Police Homicide Squad detectives arrested Cyril at Parramatta Police Station on Tuesday. He was charged with publishing false or misleading material to obtain an advantage and making a false representation that resulted in a police investigation.
Police Allegations Over Compensation Claim
Police allege Cyril claimed he had been struck by shrapnel during the Bondi Beach attack. However, investigators allege he was not injured and was not at Bondi Beach when the shooting occurred.
The NSW Government had established a $35,000 lump-sum support payment for eligible victims of the December 14, 2025 attack, which killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl, and injured dozens more.
The compensation scheme was intended to provide support to eligible people affected by the tragedy.
Immigration Detention and Court Proceedings
Cyril was reportedly granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Parramatta Local Court on November 18, 2026.
However, Australian Border Force officers subsequently took him into custody after discovering that he had overstayed his visa. He was transferred to Villawood Immigration Detention Centre.
According to media reports, he faces possible deportation after his criminal proceedings are finalised.
The charges remain allegations, and the matter will be dealt with through the Australian legal process. The case also highlights the importance of protecting support arrangements established for people genuinely affected by major incidents and ensuring that claims are properly investigated.
