BROOKLYN, NY – A multinational conspiracy involving U.S. and Canadian nationals has resulted in multiple convictions for funding the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) using cryptocurrency and online fundraising platforms.
On October 25, 2025, a federal jury in Brooklyn convicted Abdullah At Taqi, 26, of Queens, New York, of all charges including conspiracy and attempt to provide material support to ISIS, and conspiracy to launder money. Co-defendant Mohamad David Hashimi pleaded guilty to the same charges earlier this month. Two other individuals, Seema Rahman and Khalilullah Yousuf, also participated in the funding operation, with Yousuf prosecuted in Canada.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the defendants used Bitcoin, PayPal, and GoFundMe to transfer over $24,000 to an ISIS member known as Osama Obeida (a.k.a. Osama Abu Obayda), disguising the payments as charitable donations.
Encrypted messaging platforms were used to coordinate the scheme. At Taqi personally sent 15 Bitcoin payments to Obeida, whom he described as being “from Dawlah,” a term used by ISIS supporters. Obeida instructed At Taqi to delete messages and conceal his IP address.
Hashimi took part in a secret group chat for ISIS supporters, where members discussed using false humanitarian appeals to raise money for ISIS fighters. Bitcoin addresses and PayPal link, both controlled by Obeid. were shared in the chat. Rahman and Yousuf created deceptive GoFundMe campaigns, which raised thousands of dollars and were later wired to ISIS contacts in the Middle East.
Yousuf contributed the largest amount, approximately $20,347.89. Rahman raised over $10,000 and sent the proceeds through Western Union. Combined, the defendants used multiple channels to transfer funds across international borders in support of terrorist activity.
At sentencing, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 60 years in prison. Rahman pleaded guilty in January 2025 and is awaiting sentencing.
The FBI’s New York Field Office led the investigation with assistance from Canadian law enforcement. Prosecution is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Department of Justice’s Counterterrorism Section.
