Australian police revealed that an explosives-filled trailer, initially described as an antisemitic terrorist plot, was actually a staged hoax by criminals seeking personal gain.

The trailer, discovered in January near Sydney, was never meant to detonate and was part of a scheme to manipulate law enforcement.

Authorities arrested 14 more suspects, none motivated by antisemitism, though antisemitic crimes have surged in Australia since the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Investigators suspect criminal groups were hired for the attacks, with a mastermind still at large, CBS News has reported.

Despite the hoax, the wave of crimes has deeply impacted Australia’s Jewish community.

Written by B.C. Begley