Terror Groups Using E-Commerce And Online Payments For Financing: FATF
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has highlighted the use of e-commerce platforms and online payment services to finance terror activities. In the recent statement, the global terror financing watchdog flagged the exploitation of these services while attributing to the February 2019 Pulwama terror attack and 2022 Gorakhnath Temple incident.
'Delegations reported on this trend by referring to the use of state sponsorship for TF (terror financing) either as fundraising technique or as part of the financial management strategy of the certain organisations engaging in terrorist acts. Several forms of support have been reported, including direct financial support, logistical and material support, or the provision of training," said the official statement from the FATF.
The FATF report highlighted that the terrorists have been abusing e-commerce platforms and online marketplaces and said terrorists have used such platforms for their operational procurement (equipment, weapons, chemicals, 3D-printing material).
Watchdog's report, Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks, flagged the flagged state sponsorship of terrorism, stating that 'certain terrorist organisations have been and continue to receive financial and other forms of support from several national governments."
After the Pahalgam terror attack that happened in April 2025, FATF had said it would come out with a 'comprehensive analysis of terrorist financing", compiling cases provided by its global network consisting 200 jurisdictions. The body also said that such attacks cannot be executed without financial support.
In its report, FATF used terror attacks in India for case study and stated that the online platforms are used to procure materials that help in execution of such attacks. It further said that a key component of the improvised explosive device used in the attack — aluminum powder — was procured through the EPOM Amazon.
In February 2019, a suicide bombing targeted a convoy of Indian Security forces in Pulwama in Jammu & Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 40 soldiers. The attack was orchestrated by Jaish-I-Mohammed (JiM), the Indian authorities confirmed.
First Published:
July 08, 2025, 21:06 IST
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