US Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Sending $185,000 in Cryptocurrency to ISIS

A man from the US state of Virginia has been sentenced to over three decades in prison for sending cryptocurrency to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, a 35-year-old naturalized US citizen born in India, was sentenced to 30 years and four months in prison on May 7 by Federal Judge David Novak. Chhipa was found guilty of sending over $185,000 to ISIS, which was used to help female members escape prison camps and fund fighting efforts.

Prosecutors detailed that from October 2019 to October 2022, Chhipa collected funds through social media and in-person donations, converting the money into cryptocurrency and sending it to Turkey. From there, the funds were smuggled across the border into Syria to support ISIS members. Chhipa's actions were part of a broader conspiracy to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization, for which he was convicted on multiple charges.

Chhipa's attempts to evade prosecution were also highlighted during the trial. During the FBI's investigation, he tried to flee the country, withdrawing cash from an ATM and using various aliases to purchase bus tickets. He traveled from Virginia to Mexico, Guatemala, and attempted to fly to Panama, Germany, and Egypt before being apprehended and returned to the US. These actions were seen as an effort to confuse authorities and avoid capture.

Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the severity of Chhipa's actions and the importance of the sentence, stating that funding terrorism would result in decades behind bars. The case underscores the ongoing efforts to combat terrorist financing and the use of cryptocurrency in such activities. Chhipa's sentence serves as a deterrent to others who may consider similar actions, highlighting the legal consequences of supporting terrorist organizations.