The terrorist groups used Telegram channels and other social media platforms for their campaign. They pretend as charities when in fact they openly and explicitly solicit funds for violent terrorist attacks.
Undercover HSI agents contacted the administrator of Reminder for Syria, a related charity seeking bitcoin donations to finance terrorism. The administrator stated that his goal is to bring destruction to the United States. He also discussed the cost for funding surface-to-air missiles and warned about possible criminal consequences from carrying out jihad in the U.S.
In the complaint, U.S. authorities are seeking forfeiture of 155 virtual currency assets tied to the Al-Qaeda campaign.
The ISIS campaign
According to the Justice Department, the ISIS campaign involves a scheme by Murat Cakar, a facilitator for the terrorist group responsible for managing its hacking operations to sell fake personal protective equipment (PPE) via FaceMaskCenter.com.
The website claimed that it is selling FDA approved N95 respirator masks and had nearly unlimited supply. In fact, the PPE were fakes and such items were officially designated as scarce. It is offering the items to consumers worldwide including in the U.S.
