Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, a 35-year-old man from Springfield, Virginia, has been criminally charged with donating cryptocurrency to the notorious Islamic terrorist organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Chippa sent $185,000 worth of cryptocurrency to ISIS members in Syria between October 2019 and October 2022.
Court records and evidence confirmed that Chippa sent cryptocurrency to female terrorist members “to benefit ISIS in a variety of ways, including financing the escape of female ISIS members from internment camps and supporting ISIS fighters.”
Prisoners raised funds through social media accounts, electronic bank transfers and in-person cash collections. According to the DOJ report, the illicit funds would be converted into cryptocurrency and sent to Turkey, where they would eventually be smuggled to ISIS members in Syria.
Supported by British-born ISIS members
Additionally, a British-born ISIS member living in Syria was identified as Chippa’s main co-conspirator, who was also raising funds for prison escapes, terrorist attacks and ISIS fighters.
“During the course of the conspiracy, defendant sent over $185,000 in cryptocurrency.”
Chippa was found guilty on five counts. One count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, and four counts of providing and attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Up to 100 years in prison for funding ISIS
If the maximum sentences are imposed consecutively on all counts, the convict could face up to 100 years in prison.
However, the actual sentencing will depend on the judge’s decision during a hearing on May 5, 2025, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.
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The DOJ recently indicted Maximiliano Pilipis, operator of cryptocurrency exchange AurumXchange, on money laundering charges linked to the darknet marketplace Silk Road.
According to an October 28 statement, the Philippis Exchange reportedly processed numerous fund transactions from accounts on Silk Road.
The DOJ also alleged that AurumXchange operated without a license from 2009 to 2013 and violated know-your-customer, anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regulations.
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