Chhipa provided $185,000 in cryptocurrency to ISIS members in Syria, which was used to finance prison escapes and the activities of combatants.
A federal jury found Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, a 35-year-old resident of Springfield, Virginia, guilty of contributing cryptocurrency to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a terrorist organization.
Between October 2019 and October 2022, Chhipa transferred $185,000 in cryptocurrency to ISIS members in Syria, as per the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).
According to court records and evidence, Chhipa sent crypto “to benefit ISIS in various ways, including by financing the escape of female ISIS members from prison camps and supporting ISIS fighters.”
Through in-person cash collections, electronic bank transfers, and social media accounts, Chhipa raised funds.
The money would be converted into cryptocurrency and sent to Turkey, where it could be conveyed to ISIS members in Syria, according to the DOJ report.
British-Born ISIS Member Provides Support
A British-born ISIS member who was residing in Syria was identified as Chhipa’s primary co-conspirator.
This individual also raised funds for terrorist attacks and prison escapes.
“Over the course of the conspiracy, the defendant sent out over $185,000 in of cryptocurrency.”
Chhipa was found guilty of 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 For Financing ISIS Is 100 Years
Chhipa could be sentenced to up to 100 years in prison if he is consecutively sentenced to the maximum penalty on all counts, even though actual sentences for federal offenses are typically less than the maximum penalties.
On May 5, 2025, he will be sentenced at a hearing.
The duration of his prison term will be determined by a judge, who will take into account statutory factors and US sentencing guidelines.
Maximiliano Pilipis, the operator of the crypto exchange AurumXchange, was recently accused by the Department of Justice of money laundering in connection with the darknet marketplace, Silk Road.
Numerous transactions from accounts held on the Silk Road were purportedly processed by his exchange, as indicated by a statement issued on October 28.
Furthermore, the Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that AurumXchange violated Know Your Customer, Anti-Money Laundering, and Counter-Terrorist Financing regulations and operated without a license from 2009 to 2013.