Shahzad used “Hawala” system to get money: Sources
By ANIFriday, May 14, 2010
NEW YORK - Law enforcement sources have told CBS News that Times Square bomb suspect Faisal Shahzad used the “hawala” system to collect money for his attack.
They said that he concealed the movement of money by using couriers and bypassing banks or other financial institutions.
The hawala system is a courier system used by terrorists and criminals to conceal the flow of money without raising red flags among law enforcement. It’s a type of informal banking system frequently used by family and tribes - at times legitimately.
Law enforcement sources said it’s unclear whether Shahzad used the hawala system in part or totally in obtaining financing for the attack.
As investigators probe a possible link between Shahzad and the Pakistani Taliban, one of the critical aspects is confirming the flow of money - who handled the money, who were the facilitators, to determine if they were associates or members of the Pakistan Taliban. (ANI)
