Five Indicted in Paris Over Alleged $2 Million Crypto Diversion to Hamas' Military Wing
Paris police say five people funneled over $2 million in crypto donations to Hamas' military wing via charity appeals, indicted Oct. 2, 2026 in an operation run with U.S. authorities.
Why it matters
The case would extend French and U.S. crypto enforcement from individual donors to humanitarian non-profits, and the FATF warning points to tighter transfer rules for charities that accept crypto. No token, exchange or market is involved and only one outlet reports the story, so its direct market significance is limited.
Key facts
Paris police placed five individuals under formal investigation on Oct. 2, 2026 over alleged diversion of crypto donations to Hamas' military wing.
Reported by Bitcoin.com News
The five face charges of organized terrorist financing, money laundering and breach of trust.
Reported by Bitcoin.com News
A network of non-profit associations is accused of diverting more than $2 million in crypto donations to Hamas' military wing between 2020 and 2026.
2,000,000 USDReported by Bitcoin.com News
Arrests took place in Saint-Étienne and Saint-André-de-Cubzac in an operation coordinated with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Reported by Bitcoin.com News
Le Parisien named three of the arrested as Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid and Nordine Barika.
Reported by Bitcoin.com News
The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned two France-based associations.
Reported by Bitcoin.com News
FATF warned that charities such as Baraka risk stricter rules on global PayPal transfers if they misuse crypto.
Reported by Bitcoin.com News
French and U.S. courts are to advance joint proceedings to prosecute the suspects and trace digital assets.
Reported by Bitcoin.com News
What happened
Paris police placed five people under formal investigation on Oct. 2, 2026, over an alleged scheme in which a network of non-profit associations used humanitarian appeals to divert more than $2 million in cryptocurrency donations to Hamas' military wing between 2020 and 2026. French authorities charged the five with organized terrorist financing, money laundering and breach of trust, following arrests in Saint-Étienne and Saint-André-de-Cubzac carried out alongside the U.S. Department of Justice. Le Parisien, as reported by Bitcoin.com News, named three of the arrested as Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid and Nordine Barika. The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned two France-based associations, and FATF warned that charities such as Baraka could face stricter rules on global PayPal transfers over crypto misuse. French and U.S. courts are expected to advance joint proceedings to prosecute the suspects and trace digital assets. Bitcoin.com News is the only outlet with this story, the evidence behind the charges has not been made public, and all counts remain allegations untested in court.
How the story developed
- Update
Coordinated arrests in Saint-Étienne and Saint-André-de-Cubzac
French police arrested suspects in an operation run alongside the U.S. Department of Justice.
- Update
Five people placed under formal investigation in Paris
Charges are organized terrorist financing, money laundering and breach of trust.
- First report
First report by Bitcoin.com News
5 Indicted in France Over Alleged $2M Crypto Aid to Hamas
- Update
Le Parisien names three of the arrested
Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid and Nordine Barika were identified in the Le Parisien report cited by Bitcoin.com News.
- Official statement
OFAC sanctions two France-based associations
The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions as part of the same operation.
- Official statement
FATF warning on charity crypto misuse
FATF said crypto misuse by charities such as Baraka risks stricter rules on global PayPal transfers.
- Update
Joint French and U.S. proceedings set to advance
The courts are to prosecute the suspects and trace digital assets.
Affected entities
Original sources
| Publisher | Report | Role | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin.com News Company, official | 5 Indicted in France Over Alleged $2M Crypto Aid to Hamas | Original |
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