Key takeaways:

• A fake terror plot targeting a Sydney synagogue was fabricated by organized crime.
• The caravan found containing explosives was designed to divert police resources and create panic.
• The investigation has revealed that numerous tip-offs about other supposed terror threats were also fabricated.

SYDNEY, March 10 (Reuters) - Authorities have uncovered a fabricated plan involving a caravan loaded with explosives purportedly aimed at a Sydney synagogue. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) stated that the plot was constructed by an organized crime network with the intention of misdirecting police resources while instilling fear within the Jewish community.

Found in January, the caravan was reported to have enough explosives to generate a blast wave of 40 meters (130 feet) alongside anti-Semitic messages and a list of Jewish synagogues. However, police quickly determined that the operation was a "criminal con job," primarily because of the ease with which the caravan was located and the absence of a detonator, indicating no actual threat to the Jewish community.

Krissy Barrett, the AFP's Deputy Commissioner for National Security, remarked that the discovery was intended to manipulate public fear rather than to execute a real attack. "The caravan was never going to cause a mass casualty event but instead was concocted by criminals who wanted to cause fear for personal benefit," Barrett stated during a news conference where she branded the perpetrators' actions as "reprehensible."

The AFP's ongoing investigation, designated as Operation Kissinger, aims to bring those responsible to justice, as police face scrutiny regarding recent anti-Semitic attacks that have surged amid heightened tensions related to the Gaza conflict.

Authorities have reiterated the concern that while this fake plot has been dismantled, other fabricated alerts could still mislead police efforts. New South Wales Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Hudson emphasized the rippling effect on communal trust, stating that the motives of the perpetrators were to "cause chaos within the community, divert police resources away from their day jobs," contributing to an atmosphere of fear among unsuspecting Jewish residents.

The rise in anti-Semitic crimes has sparked national debate and criticism, drawing attention to the importance of safeguarding community interactions and maintaining public safety. Officials are determined to dismantle the networks behind these plots, marking a significant effort to counter both organized crime and rising hate incidents in Australia.

For further details, see the original articles on Reuters, Al Jazeera, and BBC.