In a groundbreaking investigation, Delhi Police’s Special Cell has uncovered a connection between a cryptocurrency theft case and the cyber terrorism wing of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group. This revelation came to light following a routine intelligence exchange between Israel’s Mossad and Indian authorities, which shared information about suspect wallets used for terror financing.
Cryptocurrency Theft Investigation in Delhi
The investigation by Delhi Police’s Special Cell began in 2021 when a west Delhi businessman reported the theft of approximately Rs 4 crore worth of cryptocurrencies. While the police managed to trace several recipient wallet IDs, identifying the end users proved to be a complex task.
Mossad’s communication contained vital data regarding suspicious wallet addresses linked to terrorist groups involved in financing acts of terror. Many of these addresses were associated with the al Qassam brigades of Hamas, a Palestinian extremist organization, and had been “seized” by Israel’s National Bureau for Counter-Terror Financing.
Hamas Connection
The Intelligence Fusion & Strategic Ops (IFSO) unit of Delhi Police’s Special Cell made a crucial discovery when it matched the stolen cryptocurrencies’ trail to several wallets operated by Hamas’s cyber terrorism wing. This revelation marked the first instance of Hamas’s involvement in India, and the probe’s findings were communicated to relevant authorities.
In light of these developments, Israel took swift action against Hamas. The Israeli police’s cyber unit froze a substantial number of cryptocurrency accounts used by Hamas for fundraising. Additionally, Israeli authorities urged the cryptocurrency exchange Binance to transfer the seized funds to the country’s state treasury.
Technical Analysis and Suspected Wallet Owners
Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the stolen cryptocurrencies had been routed through various private wallets and eventually landed in wallets associated with Hamas operatives. Notable figures included Naseer Ibrahim Abdulla in Gaza and Ahmed Marzooq in Giza, among others.
The case underscores the global reach of cryptocurrency-related criminal activities and the critical role of intelligence sharing in combating terrorist financing. It serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by extremist groups to exploit digital assets for their illicit agendas, prompting vigilance from authorities worldwide.
