A Syrian man has been charged for allegedly misappropriating over $9 million in U.S.-funded humanitarian aid, which was intended for innocent civilians in Syria, and funneled it to terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda.
Mahmoud Al Hafyan, 53, stands accused of leading a scheme that diverted these funds to armed groups while pretending to operate a legitimate non-governmental organization (NGO). According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Al Hafyan managed 160 employees at his humanitarian station in Syria, exploiting his position to siphon off money meant to provide essential food and medical supplies.
The indictment revealed that Al Hafyan’s NGO received a staggering $122 million from U.S. funding between January 2015 and November 2018. Instead of aiding the intended recipients, he collaborated with co-conspirators to redirect significant portions of the aid directly to militant commanders, including leaders of the Al-Nusrah Front, which is recognized as a terrorist organization. This group is notorious for its violent tactics aimed at overthrowing the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves expressed concern over Al Hafyan’s actions, stating that he not only deceived the U.S. government but also betrayed the very people the humanitarian aid was supposed to help. The indictment is viewed as the culmination of extensive investigative efforts into the misuse of U.S. aid.
To further his deceptive agenda, Al Hafyan reportedly inflated the numbers of food kits distributed under the guise of assisting war-affected families, while threatening NGO employees who refused to comply with his orders. There are allegations that he coerced his staff into donating parts of their own salaries to the terrorist organization.
FBI officials emphasized the seriousness of this case, highlighting that Al Hafyan’s actions not only supported violent extremism but also undermined crucial humanitarian efforts funded by American taxpayers. This indictment serves as a warning against those who exploit charity for personal gain and highlights the need for rigorous oversight of aid distribution in conflict zones.
