S. officials announce seizure of Hamas-linked cryptocurrency and online infrastructure

The FBI has seized more than $560,000 in cryptocurrency donations intended for Hamas, the Justice Department said Tuesday, in what officials described as a disruption of financing for the militant group. Court-authorized seizures also allowed the bureau to take control of website domains and communication platforms used by Hamas for fundraising and recruitment, according to the department.

The department said it had obtained information about thousands of people who had contacted Hamas with the goal of giving money to the group.

Jeanine Pirro, the S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said in a video statement: "My message to Hamas is clear: your networks are not secure, your crypto is vulnerable, and we will not stop until your ability to wage war is defeated."

Hamas, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, has been raising funds for terrorist operations and recruiting supporters, Pirro announced.

Investigation into Hamas's virtual currency fundraising

According to FBI affidavits filed in connection with the seizures, Hamas began testing virtual currency fundraising in or around early 2019 through its Qassam Brigades, or military wing. Hamas solicited donations on its Telegram channel and also used direct online fundraising. Hamas officials bragged that the currency would be untraceable, and their websites offered instructions for making anonymous donations, the affidavits say.

A major investigative break arrived last year when FBI officials identified a financing network soliciting donations to the Qassam Brigades via virtual currency. A confidential source located in the United States alerted law enforcement to a Telegram post asking for contributions to an email address associated with Hamas.

The work was carried out by the FBI's Albuquerque Field Office, which collaborated with human sources to identify and seize domains and servers controlled by the Al Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Official statements on the operation

Brett Leatherman, an FBI assistant director in charge of its cyber division, said the bureau would "continue to use its authorities to intercept illicit funds and prevent terrorist organizations from exploiting digital networks to finance their operations."

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said: "These seizures deprive Hamas of resources it relies on to recruit and radicalize individuals online and finance barbaric attacks like the one on October 7, 2023."

Leatherman also said Hamas relies on cryptocurrency and online platforms to solicit funds from donors around the world and move money outside the formal financial system, promising that the FBI will continue to use its authorities to counter such efforts.

Hamas officials could not immediately be reached for comment.