Virginia man convicted of funding ISIS using cryptocurrency

Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, a 35-year-old man from Springfield, Virginia, was criminally charged for making cryptocurrency donations to the infamous Islamic terrorist organization, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). 

According to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), Chhipa sent $185,000 worth of cryptocurrencies to ISIS members in Syria between October 2019 and October 2022.

Court records and evidence confirmed that Chhipa sent crypto to female terrorist members “to benefit ISIS in various ways, including by financing the escape of female ISIS members from prison camps and supporting ISIS fighters.”

A federal jury convicted Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, 35, of Springfield, on charges relating to his efforts to provide material support to ISIS, which was designated by the United States Secretary of State as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.#NSD #FBI https://t.co/BczmJfV9UQ

The convict raised funds through social media accounts, electronic bank transfers and in-person cash collections. The illicit funds would then be converted to cryptocurrency and sent to Turkey, and would eventually smuggled to ISIS members in Syria, according to the DOJ report.

Supported by a British-born ISIS member

Additionally, a British-born ISIS member residing in Syria was identified as Chhipa’s primary co-conspirator, who was also raising funds for prison escapes, terrorist attacks, and ISIS fighters.

Chhipa has been convicted on five counts: one count of conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization and four counts of providing and attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization.

Maximum prison sentence of 100 years for funding ISIS

If consecutively sentenced to the maximum on all counts, the convict could face up to 100 years in prison. 

However, the actual sentence will depend on the judge’s decision, considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors during the May 5, 2025 hearing. 

Related: SEC, FBI, DOJ coordinate takedown of fraudulent crypto firms

The DOJ recently charged Maximiliano Pilipis, the operator of crypto exchange AurumXchange, with money laundering funds linked to the darknet marketplace, Silk Road.

According to the Oct. 28 statement, Pilipis’s exchange allegedly processed numerous funds transactions from accounts held on the Silk Road. 

Additionally, the DOJ alleged that AurumXchange operated without a license from 2009 until 2013 and violated Know Your Customer, Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing regulations.

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