SAN DIEGO MAN CHARGED WITH ALLEGEDLY RAISING AND DIVERTING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HAMAS

SAN DIEGO, California — Federal authorities have unsealed a five-count criminal complaint charging a San Diego man with terrorism-related offenses, alleging he raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through purported humanitarian fundraising campaigns before diverting money to Hamas and for personal use.

Reda Mazen Rida Sabassi, 38, of San Diego, was arrested in California and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Steve B. Chu in the Southern District of California following the unsealing of the complaint.

According to the Department of Justice, Sabassi is charged with conspiracy to provide material support to Hamas, conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and making false statements.

Federal prosecutors allege Sabassi used social media platforms, crowdfunding websites, and an organization identified as Ikram – The Arab Charity Foundation Inc. to solicit donations from individuals around the world, including donors located in the United States.

Authorities contend that while Sabassi represented the fundraising efforts as humanitarian aid campaigns intended to assist civilians in Gaza, the funds were allegedly being directed to Hamas and associated fundraising networks.

According to the criminal complaint, Hamas has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States since 1997.

Federal authorities allege Sabassi publicly expressed support for Hamas online and used multiple internet-based fundraising campaigns to collect money following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel.

Investigators further allege that Sabassi produced and distributed online propaganda content related to the October 7 attacks and shared that material through social media accounts.

According to prosecutors, Sabassi worked with Hamas-linked fundraising networks, including Gaza Now and other alleged co-conspirators, to solicit donations and transfer funds.

Court documents allege that between December 2023 and February 2024, Sabassi raised approximately $600,000 through online fundraising campaigns.

Federal authorities contend that approximately $116,000 was transferred to an individual identified as a Hamas member, while an additional $382,000 was allegedly targeted for conversion into cryptocurrency for transfer through Hamas-connected fundraising channels.

Investigators further allege that Sabassi and a co-conspirator privately discussed naming a fundraising campaign after Hamas’ al-Qassam Brigades before deciding to use the Ikram charity name instead.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated that Sabassi allegedly exploited public sympathy following the October 7 terrorist attacks to attract donations to what donors believed were humanitarian causes.

Eisenberg alleged that funds raised through the campaigns were diverted to support Hamas and for Sabassi’s personal benefit.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York stated that Hamas has been responsible for attacks resulting in the deaths of American citizens and emphasized the government’s commitment to prosecuting individuals accused of providing financial support to designated foreign terrorist organizations.

Assistant Director Donald Holstead of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division alleged that Sabassi falsely represented the purpose of the fundraising efforts while secretly directing money to Hamas and retaining portions of the proceeds for himself.

FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. stated that investigators remain focused on identifying and disrupting fundraising operations that allegedly provide financial support to terrorist organizations.

Federal authorities have increasingly focused on disrupting financial networks that allegedly provide material support to designated terrorist organizations.

According to the complaint, the investigation identified alleged efforts to move money through crowdfunding platforms, traditional financial transactions, and cryptocurrency channels.

The complaint also references actions taken by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. On March 27, 2024, OFAC designated Gaza Now and two individuals identified as Sabassi’s alleged co-conspirators as Specially Designated Global Terrorists for their alleged roles in facilitating fundraising activities connected to Hamas.

Federal authorities contend that disrupting terrorist financing remains a critical component of counterterrorism operations because such funding can be used to support recruitment, logistics, operations, propaganda, and other organizational activities.

If convicted, Sabassi faces substantial federal penalties.

The charge of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The conspiracy charges related to sanctions violations, wire fraud, and money laundering each carry potential maximum sentences of 20 years imprisonment. The false statements charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, the FBI San Diego Joint Terrorism Task Force, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with assistance from the Department of Justice’s National Security Division.

The charges contained in the complaint are allegations. Sabassi is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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