Federal authorities have labeled a caravan discovered in Sydney earlier this year as a “phony terrorism scheme” that was never capable of causing a mass casualty event. According to Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the incident was a fabrication conceived by criminals aiming to instill fear for personal gain.
Barrett stated on Monday that investigations had led to the conclusion that the caravan plot was alardan scheme orchestrated by established criminals, both domestic and international. These actions, which allegedly targeted the Jewish community, have alarmed Australians and will not go unpunished, as per Barrett.
The AFP believes many individuals in the so-called “criminal gig economy” are accepting assignments for money, which has added complexity to law enforcement’s efforts.
In parallel, the NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson revealed that Strike Force Pearl performed 11 search warrants on Monday and arrested 14 more individuals concerning antisemite attacks in Sydney. None of those detained were directly connected to the caravan incident.
Hudson maintained that the attacks were orchestrated by organized crime groups rather than individuals holding antisemite ideologies. Furthermore, it is alleged that the same masterminds behind the antisemite attacks orchestrated the caravan plot to distract the police, thereby allowing them to continue their criminal activities unchecked.
Police also speculate that the “caravan job” may have been designed to get a reduced sentence by providing information on a presumed threat.
As part of the investigation into the caravan, a couple previously charged with arson and graffiti in Sydney’s east was named. Scott Marshall, 36, and his partner Tammie Farrugia, 34, have been charged with allegedly setting a car ablaze and painting anti-Israel graffiti. Marshall was arrested in Parklea prison and faces charges for criminal activity, property damage, and driving a vehicle without consent.
Neither Farrugia nor Marshall has been charged in relation to the caravan incident, and no wrongdoing is implied concerning the couple by Guardian Australia.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/10/sydney-antisemitic-caravan-plan-fake-terrorism-plot-nsw-police-ntwnfb
