Police in Australia say an explosives-filled trailer that politicians earlier described as an antisemitic terrorism plot and a foiled mass casualty event was staged by criminals in a complicated hoax

Australian Jews were facing violent incidents for months but authorities say there hasn't been a significant attack since early February.

A fake plan to attack on a Sydney synagogue using a caravan of explosives was fabricated by an organized crime network in order to divert police resources, Australian police said on Monday.

The discovery was staged by criminals as part of a complicated hoax to divert police resources and create fear, authorities said.

Police say the explosives plot was a scheme by organized criminals to create fear and mislead law enforcement.