OFAC sanctions ‘South Africa-based ISIS Organizers and Financial Facilitators’

On 1 March, The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (‘OFAC’) said it had designated ‘four Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and ISIS-Mozambique (ISIS-M) financial facilitators based in South Africa.’

OFAC said: ‘ISIS members and associates in South Africa are playing an increasingly central role in facilitating the transfer of funds from the top of the ISIS hierarchy to branches across Africa. The South Africa-based ISIS members designated today pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended, have provided support for the aforementioned transfers or served as leaders of ISIS cells in South Africa.’ 

It explained that ISIS had recently attempted to expand its influence in Africa ‘through large-scale operations in areas where government control is limited.’

‘ISIS branches in Africa rely on local fundraising schemes such as theft, extortion of local populations, and kidnapping for ransom, as well as financial support from the ISIS hierarchy,’ it said.

Amongst those included in designations are Farhad Hoomer, who, between 2017 and 2018, ‘helped organize and begin the operations of a Durban, South Africa-based ISIS cell. Hoomer, who is the leader of the Durban-based ISIS cell, has provided some of his known residential properties and vehicles registered in his name to sponsor the cell’s meetings and operational activities.’

https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20220301