“The Prophet said, ‘War is deceit.’” (Bukhari 4.52.269) And that works both ways.
“Federal agents tricked Hamas into sending Bitcoin to Uncle Sam,” by Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, August 13, 2020 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):
…On Thursday the Justice Department revealed details of the sting, which was part of a sprawling investigation into the financial operations of three global terrorist organizations: Islamic State, Al-Qaeda, and Hamas.
The investigation involved the seizure of hundreds of cryptocurrency accounts containing more than $1 million, as well as four Facebook pages that the Islamic State was using to sell phony personal protective equipment.
According to the Justice Department, all three terrorist organizations have been encouraging supporters to send them cryptocurrency. This encouragement included propaganda like the Hamas poster shown below. (The poster was included in the Department’s release; we’ve added circles to show the Bitcoin solicitation.)
In the course of the investigation into Hamas’ military wing, known as the Al-Qassam Brigades, federal agents seized one of the group’s websites, located at alqassam.net. The U.S. then began covertly operating the site and pocketing the Bitcoin donations it received.
“During that covert operation, the website received funds from persons seeking to provide material support to the terrorist organization, however, they instead donated the funds [to] bitcoin wallets controlled by the United States,” the Justice Department statement reads….
Beverly says
That was a ‘twofer’ idea – get the money and get the name who gave it. Money talks and BS walks. Takes financing to be a full time terrorist, otherwise they’d be looking for work for something to eat.
Ray Jarman says
I would call it pure poetic justice. It is the first really good news in some time.
Ade Fegan says
Delicious !
Keith O says
I have often wondered why, given the cyber warfare capabilities of the US govt. they haven’t just shut these turds down completely??
If even one tenth of what Snowden blew the whistle on is true, then these turds should have been reduced to using carrier pigeons. and anyone who donated a penny to them should have had their assets stripped.
So, gotta ask, why so little done?
Hugh Fitzgerald says
Amusing and wonderful news.
But I have a question: why did the government make this announcement? Why not continue to pocket the cryptocurrencies of terror groups indefinitely? The money could, without fanfare or explanation, be given to victims of Muslim terrorists. And the operation could go on, and on, and on.
Frank Anderson says
H.F., one possible answer among several, exposing the capability creates doubt. It’s like knowing there is a sniper in the area, but you don’t know where he is or who is his target. In some analysis, that causes more damage than the unknown and undetected soldier.
gravenimage says
Federal agents trick Hamas into sending Bitcoin to US government
……………..
Well, *this* is funny!
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
Isn’t stealing someone Bitcoin account out-and-out theft? Also, this report is remarkably information-free. What “phony personal protective equipment” was the Islamic State selling? Not a single example is given. Is this report even true? Maybe the claim that “Contributions sent to the Islamic State go to the U. S. Government” is meant to diminish the IS’s revenue stream from this source.
gravenimage says
Fortune Magazine is a respected news source. I don’t think the feds should have to give away all their techniques.
Linde Barrera says
These demonic terrorists need to be taken down by any means necessary.
Dawne says
This is clever, and obviously made public as Hamas would have noticed the BTC donations had dried up even if they didn’t notice the site being taken over. Many people think that BTC transactions are completely private, but actually it will be possible for the US to find out who made the donations to Hamas and that is further information for them into the terrorist organisation.
Francis Weber says
Follow the money trail to the source and bust the donors!
OLD GUY. says
Gotta love it, who says the FED. can’t do something right. Cutting the funding for these terror groups will harm them greatly.