Louisiana Brothers Accused of $1.7M Hamas Fundraising Scheme Exposed by NYPD
The Adhami brothers allegedly funneled money to the terror group under the guise of Gaza humanitarian aid.
Two brothers from Louisiana have been arrested and face federal charges for allegedly orchestrating a scheme to raise at least $1.7 million for Hamas, disguised as humanitarian aid for Gaza. Abdel Adhami and Omar Adhami were taken into custody last month in Louisiana, according to newly unsealed federal indictments.
Prosecutors allege that Abdel Adhami funneled over $83,000 to Hamas between 2023 and 2026, while his brother Omar is accused of sending $6,000. The operation, which began in 2020, collected donations from individuals worldwide, purportedly for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. However, court documents state that the funds were ultimately used to support Hamas.
The investigation gained traction in November 2025 when an undercover NYPD detective, posing as "Hussain," was contacted by Saleem Alzaq, a Hamas member who was using social media to post propaganda. Alzaq subsequently directed the detective to reach out to Abdel Adhami, instructing him to arrange a method for transferring funds. It remains unclear if the undercover detective transferred any money.
Abdel and Omar Adhami have been charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization and wire fraud. Alzaq faces charges including conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to violate the international emergency economic powers act, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the department's counterterrorism efforts uncovered the international finance network. "Our intelligence analysts uncovered this international finance network and built the case that exposed more than $2 million being funneled to Hamas," Tisch said in a statement. "This is the kind of extraordinary counterterrorism work the NYPD does every day to disrupt threats before they reach New Yorkers, and I thank our law enforcement partners for helping us dismantle this network."
The scheme's exposure highlights the intersection of online fundraising, international conflict, and law enforcement's efforts to track illicit financial flows. The NYPD's involvement underscores its role in national and international counterterrorism investigations.