Global Courant 2023-05-09 15:03:34
FBI agents raided the apartment of a Virginia man suspected of providing monetary support to members of ISIS in Syria.
Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, 33, was arrested after years of investigation for his alleged involvement with the terror organization. FOX 5 DC. He was born in India, but had since become an American citizen.
The FBI and Fairfax County Police blocked Kingsford Road in Springfield for hours as Chhipa was taken into custody.
In a cell phone video taken by a neighbor and shared with the outlet, a cop was heard yelling repeatedly, “Hands behind your back!”
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FBI agents raided the apartment of a Virginia man suspected of providing money to members of ISIS. (Getty Images)
The investigation into Chhipa’s alleged involvement with ISIS began in August 2021.
Chhipa was arrested for providing and attempting to provide material support to ISIS in the form of monetary instruments, according to court documents obtained by FOX 5. The crimes reportedly took place from August 2021 to January 2022.
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The investigation into Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa’s involvement with ISIS began in August 2021. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
According to the court documents, financial records indicate that between November 2019 and July 2022, Chhipa purchased more than $172,000 in virtual currency and received an additional $15,000 in virtual currency from other individuals.
An analysis of the data shows that more than $18,000 of that money was transferred to purses known to be used by ISIS women being held in a refugee camp in Syria. More money went into other wallets believed to have been used by ISIS members.
The FBI said $61,000 went to cryptocurrency wallets in Turkey and more than $60,000 remains missing.
Search warrant records showed that the virtual currency was converted back to cash and secretly passed on to its intended recipients.
Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa was arrested for alleged material support to ISIS in the form of monetary instruments. (iStock)
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The agency also found through its investigation that Chhipa’s social media accounts, books, videos and search histories confirm an ideological alignment with ISIS. The content included extremist ideology, jihad and violent propaganda.
If convicted of the crimes, Chhipa could face up to 20 years in prison.