U.S. Citizen Sent $185K in Crypto to ISIS, Helped Prison Breaks

Mohammed Azharuddin Chhipa, a 35-year-old Virginia man, has been sentenced to 30 years and four months in federal prison for financially supporting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) using cryptocurrency. U.S. prosecutors described his actions as aiding “vile terrorist atrocities.”

Federal Judge David Novak handed down the sentence on May 7, following Chhipa’s December conviction for conspiring to support and directly funding a designated terrorist organization.

Crypto-Fueled Terrorism and Prison Breaks

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, between October 2019 and October 2022, Chhipa funneled over $185,000 to ISIS. He allegedly used crypto to:

• Fund violent activities carried out by the Islamic State
• Assist female ISIS members in escaping detention camps in Syria
• Move money across borders via Turkey into Syria

Chhipa reportedly raised these funds using social media platforms. He collected donations both online and in person, sometimes traveling hundreds of miles. After converting the cash into cryptocurrency, he transferred it to contacts in Turkey, who then smuggled it into Syria for use by ISIS operatives.

A Failed Escape and a Global Chase

Authorities revealed that during the FBI’s investigation, Chhipa attempted to flee the country in an effort to evade prosecution. His escape plan included:

• Withdrawing $1,800 after an FBI search of his home
• Paying a stranger at Taco Bell for a ride to a relative’s house
• Purchasing bus tickets under various names and email aliases
• Fleeing from Virginia to Guatemala via Mexico
• Booking flights through Panama and Germany to Egypt

However, Interpol issued a Blue Notice that led to his capture and return to the United States.

DOJ Sends a Strong Message

Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the significance of the case, stating: “This defendant directly financed ISIS in its efforts to commit vile terrorist atrocities against innocent citizens in America and abroad. This severe sentence illustrates that if you fund terrorism, we will prosecute you and put you behind bars for decades.”

Chhipa, originally from India and a naturalized U.S. citizen, now faces decades behind bars, likely remaining imprisoned until the age of 65.