A federal jury found a 35-year-old man from Springfield, Virginia guilty of terrorist charges for using cryptocurrencies to fund the Islamic State (ISIS). A federal jury found Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa guilty of transmitting more than $185,000 in digital money to the terrorist group between October 2019 and October 2022.
Chhipa raised funds through social media, bank transfers, and in-person cash payments, according to court documents. Before reaching ISIS fighters in Syria, Chhipa transformed these funds into bitcoin and delivered them to Turkey. ISIS members used the money to facilitate their prison escapes and to support their troops.
Chhipa’s major collaborator was revealed as a British-born ISIS member in Syria who helped fund terrorist acts and jail breaks.
The jury found Chhipa guilty on five counts: conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist group and four counts of delivering or trying to provide material support. If convicted on all charges, he may face up to 100 years in prison. We have scheduled a hearing to determine his sentence for May 5, 2025.
This instance underlines persistent concerns about the use of cryptocurrency to fund terrorist groups. Federal authorities continue to investigate and prosecute anyone who uses digital currencies for illicit purposes.
