A man accused of faking his own kidnapping has been found by police relaxing with friends in a Sydney cafe.
Police say they received reports that a 31-year-old man from Toongabbie had been kidnapped and assaulted early on Tuesday, only to find him unharmed at a Brighton le Sands cafe just before midday.
He was with two men aged 28 and 27 and a 24-year-old woman.
The 31-year-old man has been charged with giving false information resulting in a police investigation and using a carriage service to menace.
Police say the man attempted to extort money from people known to him while falsely claiming to be a victim of an assault and kidnapping.
He was refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Wednesday.
The two other men and the woman were released without charge.
