The US government has announced sanctions against two Egyptian IT experts for providing support and training of cyber security to the terrorist organization ISIS.
The Egyptian subjects also enabled ISIS to use cryptocurrency and helped to use the online recruitment and propaganda efforts of the group.
One of the people identified by the US Department of the Treasury of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) was Mu’min al-Mawji Mahmud Salim (Mu’min al-Mawji), maker and leader of ISIS-connected platform Electronic Foundation (EHF).
According to the OFAC CyberSecurity guidelines and training, the EHF has given ISIS supporters to help them avoid the law enforcement research of their online activity.
Moreover, Mu’min Al-Mawji has given ISIS leadership technical support on computer applications, while the supporters of the group offer cryptocurrency expertise and instructions. This included placing a tutorial on the EHF website about donating funds to ISIS-Liedened entities.
Mu’min al-Mawji has also set up an ISIS-LIERED media outlet to create and distribute ISIS propaganda in which he calls for violence to the West, Van AC said in a press release.
Sarah Jamal Muhammad Al-Sayyid (Sarah Jamal) was also punished for helping Mu’min al-Mawji in offering cyber security support to ISIS.
Her activities include recruiting other ISIS members to become a member of EHF and the purchase of web servers to host ISIS platforms on behalf of the platform.
OFAC also announced sanctions against Turkish National Faruk Guzel for spreading money to persons affiliated with ISIS.
ISIS, also known as ‘Islamic State’, came to the fore in 2014 when militants conquered areas of Iraq and Syria and formed a non-recognized quasi-state. It lost all its areas in 2019 after fighting with Iraqi and Syrian troops supported by a global coalition.
Sanctions a growing weapon against malignant cyberactivity
The sanctions mean all assets that are directly or indirectly owned by the three persons who are in the US or possession or the control of American persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC.
All transactions by American citizens or those in the US with the sanctioned individuals are prohibited, whereby those who enter into such transactions with a risk of secondary sanctions.
The actions reinforce the dedication of the US to the Mission of the Teller ISIS Finance Group (CIFG), which includes more than 80 countries and international organizations.
Matthew Miller, spokesman for the Department of the US Department of Foreign Affairs, noted: “Our actions of today are aimed at the facilitating activities of the Terrorist Group Online – including the use of virtual currency, recruitment and promotion of the group by the group of his terrorist ideology – as well as the transfers of ISIS Funds to his Supports.
“Together with our international partners, the United States are committed to combating ISIS and those who offer logistical, technical or financial support to terrorist groups.”
Western governments have increasingly targeted persons who deal with malignant cyber activities in the past year due to economic sanctions.
In September 2023, the US and the UK jointly punished 11 people accused of being linked to the Trickbot malware and the Conti Ransomware groups.
In January 2024, Australia called Russian National Its in public and punished as responsible for the Medibank Data Breach 2022.
Cyber sanctions are designed to create consequences for people who deal with malignant cyberactivity when they are physically outside the reach of law enforcement agencies.