US Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Funding ISIS with $185,000 in Cryptocurrency

In Brief:

A man from Springfield, Virginia, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for using cryptocurrency to fund ISIS.

From 2019 to 2022, he raised over $185,000 through social media and transferred it to ISIS members.

Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, a 34-year-old man from Springfield, Virginia, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for funding terrorist activities through cryptocurrency. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed the sentence, marking a significant ruling in the fight against terrorist financing.

From October 2019 to October 2022, Chhipa raised funds through social media platforms, converted them into cryptocurrency, and transferred the proceeds to Turkey, ultimately reaching ISIS members in Syria. These funds were used to support terrorist activities, including helping prisoners escape and aiding in operations carried out by ISIS.

Court records and trial evidence revealed that Chhipa had provided more than $185,000 in cryptocurrency to ISIS, directly contributing to the terror group's activities. His actions were exposed through an investigation by U.S. authorities, which tracked his transfers from online fundraising efforts to the eventual destinations of the funds.

The sentencing serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with the use of cryptocurrencies in illegal activities and the continued efforts by law enforcement to prevent terror financing through digital currencies. Chhipa’s prison term underscores the serious legal consequences of such actions, as U.S. officials continue to target financial channels used by terrorist organizations.

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