The deceptive scheme
It’s giving major scam vibes. Federal prosecutors just dropped an indictment against a 45-year-old Gaza man named Saleem Alzaq, alleging he masterminded a massive fundraising operation to bankroll Hamas. Between January 2020 and December 2025, investigators say Alzaq raked in over $1.7 million by posing as a charity providing food and winter supplies to people in Gaza.
Real talk: the investigation revealed that a huge chunk of that cash—at least $626,000—came directly from donors inside the United States.
Following the money
According to the feds, the operation was global, stretching from the U.S. to France. Prosecutors claim two brothers from Louisiana kicked in about $105,000, while a man from Florida allegedly contributed nearly $50,000.
Alzaq, who officials identify as a longtime Hamas member, reportedly went to great lengths to keep the operation low-key. He allegedly told donors to avoid using phrases like "long live Hamas" on their PayPal transactions so their accounts wouldn't get flagged. In conversations with an undercover officer posing as a supporter, Alzaq allegedly used code words like "bread" and "the bakeries" to describe moving money to "the Green"—a reference to Hamas.
The charges
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that Alzaq was a leader in the group's military arm, despite his claims of humanitarian work. He’s now facing four counts, including conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist group and money laundering. Each of the major charges carries a max sentence of 20 years. Right now, Alzaq hasn't been arrested and is believed to be in Gaza.
Why it matters
This case highlights the sophisticated ways international groups are tapping into U.S. digital networks to fund illegal activities. By disguising terror financing as humanitarian aid, the operation was able to exploit the generosity of people wanting to help those in need, making it even more important to verify exactly where your donations are going.
