An Indian national has been accused of falsely claiming he was wounded in the December 2025 Bondi Beach terror attack to obtain compensation, despite investigators alleging he was not at the scene.

Simeswell Cyril, 46, allegedly told authorities he had been struck by shrapnel during the December 14 shooting and sought tens of thousands of dollars in support payments intended for survivors. He has been charged with fraud and making a false representation that resulted in a police investigation.

Cyril is being held at Sydney’s Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. Australian Border Force officers took him into custody after he was granted conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court earlier this week. Authorities say he also faces deportation for overstaying his visa once his criminal proceedings are concluded.

Compensation claim under scrutiny

The New South Wales government scheme provides eligible victims hit by gunfire or shrapnel with a one-time payment of $35,000. Applications remain open until December 2027.

Police allege Cyril submitted false and misleading information in an attempt to access the fund. The December 14 attack, in which father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach, killed 15 people and injured dozens.

‘This is a despicable act, if it’s proven’

Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, described the allegations as “shocking” and condemned the alleged attempt to exploit the attack.

“This is a despicable act, if it’s proven,” he told Nine Network.

“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 allegations against Cyril have not been proven in court.