The RCMP says a 36-year-old man from Toronto has pleaded guilty to two charges in what the force calls the largest terrorism financing scheme in Canada’s history.
Mounties say Khalilullah Yousuf used cryptocurrency and money transfers to fund a terrorist organization outside of Canada between September 2019 and December 2022.
They say Yousuf admitted in court to raising over $15,000 through GoFundMe and contributing more than $35,000 to “multiple receivers” for the benefit of the listed terror group Daesh, also known as ISIS.
Police say Yousuf also pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of a terrorist group by creating and distributing more than 3,800 internet-based hyperlinks with the purpose of radicalizing, indoctrinating and recruiting for ISIS.
They say that between October 2020 and March 2021, Yousuf was in contact with an individual in the United States who was later convicted there for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
Police say this is the largest terrorism financing conviction in terms of monetary value in Canadian history and the first successful terrorism financing conviction in the country where the accused used cryptocurrency and online crowdfunding.
