Citing the use of #digitalplatforms like online payment services, #VPNs, and #ecommerce websites, the
#FinancialActionTaskForce (FATF), in a report released Tuesday, warned that such technologies are increasingly being misused for #terrorfinancing.
The report referenced the #Pulwama attack in February 2019 and the #GorakhnathTemple attack in April 2022, both of which reportedly involved digital tools to facilitate the operations.
The FATF noted that #socialmedia, #messagingapps, and #crowdfunding platforms are becoming significant enablers in financing terrorism globally.
The FATF, without directly naming any country, stated that its #delegations reported incidents of #state-sponsored terrorism financing, either to raise funds or as part of strategic financial support to terrorist organisations.
“Certain terrorist organisations have been and continue to receive financial and other forms of support from several national governments,” the report said, highlighting the issue of #statebacking.
Forms of assistance identified include #directfunding, #logisticsupport, and #terrortraining. FATF added that some states are even involved in #sanctioncircumvention through illicit trade and #smuggling operations, indicating government complicity.
The report, titled ‘Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks’, also exposed #tradebasedschemes, where, for example, #oil is shipped to one country, sold for #gold, and the gold is later converted to cash in another jurisdiction.
It highlighted a concerning trend of #decentralisation in terrorist activities, noting that regional cells and #self-financed groups are adapting their financial strategies to local conditions and funding themselves through # criminal activities or investments in # small businesses.
In its earlier statement in June, the FATF had condemned the #Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, stressing that such incidents cannot happen “without #money and the #means to transfer funds between networks.”
A detailed #casestudy was included on the Pulwama attack, which killed 40 CRPF personnel. It was concluded by #Indianauthorities that the attack was orchestrated by #JaishEMohammed, and a key material – #aluminumpowder used in the IED – was procured via the #Amazon e-commerce platform.
In the case of the #GorakhnathTemple attack, the report noted the terrorist was influenced by #ISIL ideology. He transferred approximately Rs 6.69 lakh (~$7,700) through #PayPal to foreign individuals and entities. He also used #VPNservices to hide his location and maintain anonymity.
The forensic probe found that he subscribed to a paid VPN service, used it for #chatting, #calling, and #downloading propaganda, and sent money to #ISIL supporters abroad. His account was later suspended by PayPal after red flags were raised.