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A US citizen from Springfield, Virginia has been sentenced to over three decades in federal prison after being convicted of using cryptocurrency to financially support the Islamic State (ISIS), a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the US government.
According to a press release from the US Department of Justice (DoJ), the individual, Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, 35, was sentenced to 364 months in prison on charges related to providing material support to ISIS.
Conviction and Sentencing Highlight Scope of Support
Court documents reveal that Chhipa was involved in an extended campaign between October 2019 and October 2022, during which he funneled funds to female ISIS members in Syria. These funds were used to assist with various activities, including escape attempts from detention camps and the broader support of ISIS operatives.
Chhipa utilized social media to solicit donations, accepted funds electronically, and at times traveled significant distances to collect physical cash. He would later convert these funds into cryptocurrency, which he transmitted through intermediaries in Turkey to be smuggled into Syria for use by ISIS members.
The DoJ stated that Chhipa’s efforts involved sending over $185,000 in cryptocurrency to support the terrorist group. This financial support, prosecutors argued, enabled ISIS operatives to continue their activities.
“This defendant directly financed ISIS in its efforts to commit vile terrorist atrocities against innocent citizens in America and abroad,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi in the statement.
FBI Director Kash Patel added that this case underscores the bureau’s commitment to holding accountable all individuals involved in supporting terrorism, regardless of whether that support is financial or operational.
The FBI’s Washington Field Office led the investigation, and federal prosecutors secured convictions on one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, as well as four counts of providing and attempting to provide such support. A jury returned the guilty verdict in December 2024, leading to Thursday’s sentencing.
Crypto’s Role in Terror Financing Draws Scrutiny
The US Attorney’s Office emphasized the severity of Chhipa’s actions, stating that facilitating financial support for a violent extremist group while residing in a country that values individual freedom represents a serious breach of national security.
“Those who fund and facilitate terror bear the same responsibility as those who carry out attacks,” said US Attorney Erik S. Siebert.
The press release also identified Chhipa’s primary co-conspirator as an ISIS member based in Syria. This individual played a role in raising funds for ISIS operations, including planned terrorist attacks and prison breakouts.
The use of cryptocurrency in this scheme reflects a trend in terror financing, where digital assets are now being exploited for their pseudonymous nature and ease of cross-border transfer.
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