A Virginia man has been accused of using cryptocurrency to finance ISIS
Mohammad Azharuddin Chippa, 35, of Springfield, Virginia, has been indicted by a federal jury for making cryptocurrency donations to the terrorist organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
According to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Chippa sent $185,000 worth of cryptocurrencies to ISIS members in Syria between October 2019 and October 2022.
According to court records and evidence, Chippa sent crypto “to benefit ISIS in various ways, including helping female ISIS members escape prison and supporting ISIS fighters.”
Source: Eastern District of Virginia – Department of Justice
Chippa raised the money through social media accounts, electronic bank transfers and in-person cash collections. The money is then converted into crypto and sent to Turkey, where it can be smuggled to ISIS members in Syria, according to the DOJ report.
Supported by a British born IS member
The British-born ISIS member is known to be a key associate of Chippa, who lives in Syria, and who has helped to escape prisons and raise funds for terror attacks.
“During the course of the conspiracy, the defendant sent over $185,000 in cryptocurrencies.”
Chipa was convicted of five counts: one count of providing material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization and four counts of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.
He was sentenced to a maximum of 100 years in prison for financing ISIS
If sentenced to the maximum sentence for all of the crimes in a row, Chhipa could face up to 100 years in prison, although the sentences for the actual federal crimes are less than the maximum penalties.
In the year He will be sentenced at a hearing on May 5, 2025. The judge will determine the length of the prison term, taking into account US sentencing guidelines and legal conditions.
Related: SEC, FBI, DOJ crackdown on fraudulent crypto firms
The DOJ recently indicted Maximiliano Pilipis, the operator of crypto exchange AurumXchange, for embezzling money from the darknet marketplace Silk Road.
In a statement on October 28, the exchange reportedly made several transactions from accounts on Silk Road.
Additionally, the DOJ 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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