Alleged Hamas Member Boasted of New York Connections in Fundraising Scheme, Feds Say
An alleged Hamas operative, accused of raising nearly $2 million for the group through a purported humanitarian aid scheme, claimed to have extensive connections in New York, according to federal prosecutors.
Saleem Alzaq, who allegedly operated within Hamas' media office, boasted about having "so many" friends in New York during a 2025 conversation with an undercover NYPD agent, federal prosecutors revealed in court documents. Alzaq, believed to be in Gaza and still at large, was indicted in Manhattan federal court on charges of funneling approximately $1.7 million to Hamas, disguised as donations for humanitarian aid for children in Gaza.
Prosecutors allege that Alzaq told the undercover agent, using the alias "Hussain" on Snapchat, that his friends were located in New York, Ohio, and across the United States. "My friends are in New York, so many of them; they are in New York and in the state of Ohio and all over the United States," Alzaq purportedly said, according to court papers. He further claimed these friends, who were American citizens from Palestine, the West Bank, and Jerusalem, regularly sent him money.
The indictment charges Alzaq, 45, with funneling funds to the designated terrorist organization. Court documents do not specify how Hamas used the money or if it was connected to any terror plots. The information about Alzaq's alleged communication with the undercover officer was disclosed in a federal complaint unsealed in Louisiana.
In related actions, Abdel Adhami and his brother Omar Adhami were arrested in Louisiana for allegedly transferring funds to Alzaq. Abdel Adhami is accused of sending over $83,000 to Hamas between 2023 and 2026, while Omar Adhami allegedly sent $6,000. Additionally, a Florida man, Raed Yousef, faces charges for allegedly funneling nearly $50,000 to Hamas. Three other alleged associates of Alzaq – Faouzi Barika, Amel Oualid, and Nordine Barika – were arrested in France by the French General Directorate for Internal Security.
No individuals based in New York have been charged in connection with this specific case to date. "This office and our law enforcement partners will root out and prosecute those who finance Hamas, no matter where they are located," stated Manhattan US Attorney Jamie McDonald.
Federal prosecutors also detailed that the Adhami brothers allegedly used coded language, referring to Hamas fighters and funding as "bread." In one instance in January 2024, Alzaq allegedly communicated with Abdel Adhami via Snapchat, stating, "This is the message I wanted to deliver to the person who donated the bread." He also reportedly told his followers to avoid using phrases like "Free Palestine" or "Long Live Hamas" on donations to prevent his PayPal account from being flagged. Prosecutors interpreted the slogan "Free Palestine" as a reference to Hamas' objective of destroying Israel and establishing an Arab-Muslim state under Sharia law.
Alzaq, who allegedly maintained a social media presence featuring pro-Hamas content, was indicted on charges related to funneling funds to the group. Lawyers representing the Adhami brothers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The identities of legal counsel for other alleged participants were not immediately ascertainable.