- A Virginia man has been sentenced to over 30 years in prison for funding the terrorist group ISIS
- He has used cryptocurrency to send more than $185,000 to ISIS operatives overseas
- He has been convicted on multiple counts of supporting a designated terrorist organisation
A U.S. district court has sentenced Virginia resident Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa to over 30 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of funding ISIS through a sophisticated cryptocurrency operation. Over three years, Chhipa used social media and encrypted apps to collect and transfer funds to ISIS fighters in Syria. Prosecutors say he helped finance escape attempts from detention camps and other terrorist activities.
Chhipa’s Crypto-Funded Extremism Plan
Chhipa ran his fundraising campaign using social media platforms, online messaging apps, and anonymous digital wallets. He collected donations from across the United States—sometimes traveling long distances to collect cash in person—and then converted the money into cryptocurrency. The funds were routed through intermediaries in Turkey before reaching ISIS operatives in Syria.
According to the Department of Justice, the money was used in part to fund escape operations for female ISIS members held in detention camps, with his efforts directly supporting the group’s violent activities in the region and around the world. Attorney General Pamela Bondi commented on the case in a press release:
This defendant directly financed ISIS in its efforts to commit vile terrorist atrocities against innocent citizens in America and abroad. This severe sentence illustrates that if you fund terrorism, we will prosecute you and put you behind bars for decades.
Strangely enough, this successful prosecution was not broadcast by the Trump administration, whose leader has tied his wealth to the success of the crypto industry.
Long Sentence Should Deter Others
Chhipa was convicted in December 2024 on one count of conspiracy and four counts of providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organisation. The 30-year sentence reflects the gravity of the crimes and the government’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism financing. In 2020, Long Island resident Zoobia Shahnaz was jailed for 13 years for funding ISIS partially through cryptocurrencies, having funnelled a total of over $150,000 to the group.
FBI officials involved in the case described Chhipa’s conduct as “a clear and dangerous threat to national security.” They warned that both direct involvement and financial support for terrorist organisations will be pursued with equal determination. The case marks one of the most significant prosecutions involving cryptocurrency and terrorism to date, highlighting how digital assets are increasingly used to bypass traditional financial systems and fund extremist activities.
