California Man Charged in FBI Probe Over Fundraising for Hamas

Federal prosecutors have indicted a San Diego man, Rada Mazen Rida Sabasi, 38, accusing him of raising money through fake humanitarian campaigns and funneling the funds to Hamas. He faces multiple federal counts, including conspiracy to provide material support to Hamas, sanctions violations, wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements.

According to a criminal complaint released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Sabasi used social media and crowdfunding platforms to solicit donations that he claimed would help civilians in Gaza. Investigators say the fundraising effort had a different purpose, and that he exploited the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel to attract donors.

Prosecutors say Sabasi raised about $600,000 between December 2023 and February 2024. They allege roughly $116,000 was handed to a Hamas operative, while another $382,000 was to be converted into cryptocurrency and transferred to Hamas through a fundraising network called “Gaza Now.”

Authorities also say Sabasi openly supported Hamas online, shared content praising the October 7 attacks, and produced and circulated propaganda videos related to the assault across multiple social media platforms. The complaint says he and an unnamed associate discussed one fundraising effort under the name of Hamas’s military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, before deciding to operate under the banner of Sabasi’s charity. Justice Department officials said the case is part of a broader effort to disrupt financial networks supporting terrorist groups. “Those who fund terrorism will be investigated and prosecuted,” said John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general for national security.