U.S. authorities seized the website and four related Facebook pages used by Cakar to facilitate the scheme. The action shut down a terrorism campaign and a fraudulent scheme targeting unsuspecting consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FBI will “cut the financial lifeblood” of terrorists
In a statement, FBI Director Christopher Wray said, “As the primary law enforcement agency charged with defeating terrorism, the FBI will continue to combat illicit terrorist financing regardless of platform or method employed by our adversaries. As demonstrated by this recent operation, the FBI remains committed to cutting off the financial lifeblood of these organizations that seek to harm Americans at home and abroad.”
On the other hand, ICE Deputy Director and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director Matthew T. Albence commented, “Homeland Security Investigations continue to demonstrate their investigative expertise with these enforcement actions. Together with law enforcement partners, HSI utilized their unique authorities to bring to justice those cyber-criminal networks who would do us harm.”
