Louisiana Brothers Indicted for Funneling US Donations to Hamas
Two Louisiana brothers have been arrested and indicted for allegedly laundering over $105,000 to Hamas through social media fundraising schemes disguised as charity for Gaza.
Two brothers from Louisiana have been arrested and indicted on federal charges for participating in a fundraising scheme that allegedly funneled tens of thousands of dollars to Hamas under the guise of providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Court documents unsealed in the United States detail an operation that spanned several years, exploiting social media platforms to solicit donations from unsuspecting contributors.
Indictment and Alleged Financial Flows
According to federal court records, brothers Abdel and Omar Adhame were taken into custody last month. A grand jury indictment returned against them outlines four primary counts, including providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to provide support to Hamas, wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy. Prosecutors allege that the pair transferred more than $105,000 between February 2021 and September of this year.
The funds were reportedly directed to a Gaza-based fundraiser identified as Salim Al-Zaq, who has also been indicted on charges of money laundering and sanctions violations. Al-Zaq is accused of orchestrating a broader network that allegedly channeled approximately $1.7 million to Hamas from donors in the United States and other countries who believed their contributions were supporting civilians.
Social Media Propaganda and Codenames
Investigators stated that Abdel Adhame utilized Snapchat accounts for years to disseminate Hamas propaganda and direct followers to Telegram channels. These online spaces featured messages, videos, and images supporting both Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, alongside direct appeals for financial transfers. Solicitations for Gaza relief were also widely distributed via Instagram.
"Do not mention anything by name on WhatsApp, and use the word 'bread' instead," Abdel reportedly wrote to his brother, according to FBI affidavits detailing the use of code words to mask financial discussions.
The investigation gained critical momentum in November 2025 when an undercover New York Police Department investigator made contact with Al-Zaq. The fundraiser inadvertently connected the undercover agent to Abdel, allowing federal authorities to map out the American cell.
Business Fronts and Law Enforcement Response
Public business records indicate that the brothers own cosmetic supply stores in the Louisiana cities of Hammond and Slidell. Investigators allege the pair attempted to disguise the illicit donations by processing transactions through store credit card terminals as standard retail purchases.
New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized the international scope of the operation, stating that counterterrorism efforts transcend traditional geographic boundaries. The brothers remain detained pending further court proceedings, and legal representation for the defendants has not yet issued a public comment.
