Innocent Man Receives Death Threats After Being Falsely Identified as Bondi Beach Attacker

30-year-old Naveed Akram, who was misidentified, resides in a northwestern suburb of Sydney.

A Sydney resident reported receiving death threats and feeling "terrified" to exit his home on Monday after his photograph was widely circulated online, incorrectly identifying him as the perpetrator of the Bondi Beach shooting.

On Sunday evening, a father and son carried out an attack on a Jewish festival at Australia's most famous beach, resulting in 15 fatalities, including a child, and wounding 42 others.

Officials have labeled the incident as terrorism, though they have not released the identities of the two attackers—one deceased at the scene and the other currently hospitalized.

However, Australian broadcaster ABC identified the alleged assailant as Naveed Akram from Bonnyrigg in western Sydney, citing an unnamed official, while other local news outlets reported police had searched his residence.

Read | Fruit Shop Owner, Unemployed Son: What We Know About Sydney Beach Shooters

Images of a smiling man wearing a green Pakistan cricket jersey quickly spread across social media platforms.

Some posts were shared thousands of times, attracting hostile comments.

The photograph, however, belonged to another Naveed Akram, who on Monday implored people to stop spreading misinformation in a video released by the Pakistan Consulate of Sydney.

"According to media reports, one of the shooters' name is Naveed Akram and my name is also Naveed Akram," he stated in the video.

"That is not me. I have no connection to the incident or that individual," he emphasized, condemning the "terrible" Bondi Beach attack.

"I just need everyone's help to stop this propaganda," he pleaded, requesting users report accounts misusing his photo, which he had posted in 2019.

'Life-threatening' The 30-year-old, residing in Sydney's northwestern area, told AFP he first learned around 9:30 pm Sunday that he had been falsely identified as the shooter.

"I couldn't sleep at all last night," Akram told AFP by phone, adding that he deleted all the "terrible" messages he received.

"I'm terrified. I cannot go outside, it's a life-threatening situation, so I don't want to risk anything... my family is worried too, so it's a really difficult time for me."

He requested the Pakistan Consulate release the video because relatives in Punjab province were also receiving phone calls.

"It was damaging my reputation and my family's reputation," he said.

"People began calling them. They were concerned and contacted the local police."

Read | Fruit Seller, His 24-Year-Old Son Behind Deadly Shooting At Jews In Sydney

The Pakistan native relocated to Australia in 2018 to study at Central Queensland University and later completed a master's degree at Sydney's Holmes Institute.

Currently operating a car rental business, he described Australia as "the perfect country".

"I love this country. I've never experienced any safety issues here, everyone is so kind, the people are so friendly," Akram said.

"It's only this incident that has caused me this trauma."