Mohamed Elshinawy charged with attempting to aid ISIS

A Maryland man appeared in federal court Monday on charges stemming from his receipt of more than $8,000 that is believed to have come from a member of the Islamic State who sought to finance terrorist attacks inside the U.S.

Mohamed Elshinawy, 30, of Edgewood, was charged with attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State, and with making false statements to investigators probing his ties to the terrorist group.

Prosecutors said Mr. Elshinawy received a series of payments from an unidentified Islamic State operative, with whom he was connected through an old childhood friend. He communicated with the person early this year through the summer and ended up accepting at least $8,700 in payments made through money wire and PayPal transfers.

“This case demonstrates how terrorists exploit modern technology to inculcate sympathizers and build hidden networks, but federal agents and prosecutors are working tirelessly and using every available lawful tool to disrupt their evil schemes,” said Rod Rosenstein, the U.S. Attorney for Maryland.

The FBI appeared to have become aware of Mr. Elshinawy in June, when investigators were made aware of a person in Egypt trying to wire money to him through Western Union for “operational purposes,” according to charging documents filed in federal court.

When investigators questioned Mr. Elshinawy about the wire transfer, he initially said it was sent from his mother, but later confirmed it had come from his childhood friend, who had faced terrorism charges in Egypt and had fled to Syria.

Mr. Elshinawy told investigators that he agreed to accept the money, but said that he never intended to carry out any sort of terrorist attack, rather he saw an opportunity to make money and to take it from “thieves,” according to charging documents.

The court records note that Mr. Elshinawy spent the money on items such as a laptop and numerous “pay as you go” cellphones. They also indicate that FBI agents had reviewed Mr. Elshinawy’s social media communications, and that he had at one point told his brother, who lives overseas, that he had sworn allegiance to the Islamic State.