Tue Jul 08 17:37:01 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten version as a news article:

**Summary:**

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has released a report highlighting how terrorists are using modern technologies like online payment services, e-commerce platforms, and VPNs for funding and procurement. The report cites two specific cases in India: the 2022 Gorakhnath Temple attack, where the perpetrator used PayPal and VPNs to transfer funds to ISIS supporters, and the 2019 Pulwama attack, where aluminum powder for the IED was purchased through Amazon. The FATF warns that e-commerce platforms are increasingly being exploited for various purposes, including procuring materials, selling items to finance operations, and disguising fund transfers through trade-based money laundering techniques. The report also lists various other methods for raising and transferring funds for terror financing.

**News Article:**

**FATF Warns of Terrorists Exploiting Online Platforms in India and Globally**

**NEW DELHI (July 8, 2025)** – The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global watchdog on money laundering and terrorist financing, has issued a stark warning about the increasing use of online payment services, e-commerce platforms, and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) by terrorists. In its report, “Comprehensive Update on Terrorist Financing Risks,” the FATF cites specific incidents in India, underscoring the evolving nature of terrorist financing in the digital age.

The report highlights the 2022 Gorakhnath Temple attack in Uttar Pradesh, where the perpetrator used PayPal and VPNs to transfer over ₹669,000 to foreign countries in support of ISIL. Investigations revealed the attacker used a VPN to obscure their IP address and evade detection.

Furthermore, the FATF’s investigation into the devastating 2019 Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 40 CRPF personnel, revealed that a key component of the IED – aluminum powder – was procured through Amazon.

The FATF report warns that e-commerce platforms are being exploited by terrorists for various purposes, including procuring equipment, weapons, chemicals, and even 3D-printing materials. Terrorists are also using these platforms to sell items, including stolen cultural artifacts and wildlife products, to finance their operations.

“Terrorists have been reported to abuse EPOMs, which are occupying an ever-growing position in worldwide economic landscapes, for various purposes… criminals and terrorists can pose as multiple buyers and sellers (e.g., fraudulent/complicit online shop fronts) on the EPOMs, and use trade-based ML/TF [Money Laundering/Terror Financing] techniques, such as over/under invoicing, to transfer value (goods and funds) between each other,” the report said.

The report also details other methods of raising and transferring funds for terror financing, including human trafficking, virtual assets, donations, and misuse of non-profit organizations. The FATF’s findings will likely prompt increased scrutiny of online platforms and a renewed focus on combating terrorist financing in the digital realm.

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