WhatsApp chat used to facilitate global criminal and extremist financing

The chat, active from late February to December 2022, facilitated cross-border cash transfers, including payments from Brussels to Islamic State group militants in Syria. The European Broadcasting Union EBU investigative journalism network also found evidence of similar cash transfer systems supporting people smuggling and drug trafficking. Belgian investigating magistrate Vincent Guerra uncovered the group chat during an investigation into terror financing, describing the network's reach as covering "the entire planet."

Members used the ancient hawala transfer system, which involves a network of trusted money brokers, to arrange payments without electronic records. While hawala can be used for legitimate purposes, criminals exploit it to bypass traditional banking systems and avoid scrutiny. The "Great Traders of Europe" group was reserved for transactions over €5,000.

Hawala is illegal in many EU countries but legal in the UK if brokers are registered. A 2024 Belgian court case, which convicted six money launderers including network head Abu Adam, led to the discovery of the WhatsApp chat on his phone. Adam's phone contained evidence of at least 12,000 transactions.

Further investigations by the EBU found other gangs across Europe using ha