The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has uncovered a major crowdfunding scam that allegedly misused funds raised for Gaza relief, diverting Rs 5 crore toward suspected “anti-national” activities.
Three men — Mohammad Ayan, Zaid Notiyar, and Abu Sufiyan — were arrested from Bhiwandi, Maharashtra. Police stated that the mastermind behind the fraud is reportedly based in Greece. Although the accused are first-time offenders, their sophisticated digital methods suggest guidance from an external handler.
Initial investigations indicate a foreign coordinator directing the local operatives, with funds routed through European withdrawals. Instagram and WhatsApp were used to target donors across 20 states, employing emotional appeals, fake stories, and social media campaigns. Uttar Pradesh was specifically targeted due to its large Muslim population, and the collection was carried out via UPI, digital wallets, and multiple bank accounts to evade monitoring.
Authorities described this as a classic case of foreign-directed digital exploitation using local youth. The scam exploited humanitarian narratives, fast-moving digital wallets, and emotional propaganda, forming part of a larger pattern of diaspora-linked funding pipelines being rerouted for extremist or destabilizing purposes.
Intelligence sources told News18 that the scam coincided with peak coverage of the Gaza conflict in August, indicating a strategic use of global crises for illegal fundraising. Evidence points to a structured money trail leading to Greece, with withdrawals in central Europe, raising concerns about cross-border laundering and potential terror financing.
The investigation was triggered after large transfers from Bhiwandi to Uttar Pradesh raised suspicions. Police emphasized that this case reflects a growing trend of humanitarian crowdfunding hijacked by extremist or criminal networks without proper authorization. While India has KYC procedures for monitoring donors, these safeguards were reportedly bypassed.
The accused were booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, with potential charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, UAPA, if links to foreign terror financing are confirmed during interrogation and forensic analysis.
