An Ontario man has been charged after an FBI investigation uncovered an alleged scheme to use online campaigns disguised as humanitarian efforts to raise money for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
The U.S. Department of Justice says the 34-year-old man was arrested by Canadian police Wednesday under a provisional arrest request, often the first step in the extradition process.
He is facing charges in the U.S., along with three Americans, for allegedly conspiring to provide material support to ISIS.
The Canadian Department of Justice and the RCMP did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
U.S. officials allege the Canadian was part of an encrypted social media group chat of ISIS supporters where members discussed posting donation links that appeared to support humanitarian causes but were actually intended to aid Islamic militants.
They allege he created multiple GoFundMe campaigns purportedly for humanitarian causes and allegedly contributed US$20,347 to a cryptocurrency address tied to the terrorist group.
Officials allege a man behind the cryptocurrency address discussed giving money to support ISIS fighters with a confidential source and allegedly told the source the charitable descriptions in fundraising campaigns were intended to deceive would-be donors.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 15, 2022.
The Canadian Press
