A Pakistani-born American woman has acknowledged her role in defrauding numerous financial institutions in a bitcoin scheme to help the militant Islamic State (IS) group.
Prosecutors say Zoobia Shahnaz, a naturalised US citizen living on Long Island, pleaded guilty in federal court in Central Islip on Monday to providing material support to a foreign terrorist organisation.
The 27-year-old was charged with laundering bitcoin and wiring money to the IS group. After quitting her job, she was stopped at Kennedy Airport last year attempting to fly to Pakistan.
Shahnaz's lawyer has said she was trying to help Syrian refugees.
She faces up to 20 years in prison.
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On DawnNews
Comments (32) Closed
Surya Kant Agrawal
Nov 27, 2018 12:44pm
Now even females have become suspect.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Nov 27, 2018 12:49pm
What a mind-boggling, heart-throbbing and soul-searching tragedy?
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Gin
Nov 27, 2018 12:58pm
Pay back Time for her Now
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Rahid Sami
Nov 27, 2018 01:05pm
@Surya Kant Agrawal, you’re no longer a suspect when you plead guilty!
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Truth
Nov 27, 2018 01:07pm
We excel in many such scheme. But shy away from genuine progress, enlightenment and honest work!
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Suraj71
Nov 27, 2018 01:12pm
Bad news. ! Another Dent on already tarnished Image of Pakistan. Teen like Zainab has to face the consequences at international airports.
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desi dimag
Nov 27, 2018 01:32pm
Always keep an eye on peace loving community.
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Syed
Nov 27, 2018 01:56pm
What a farce this US system has become. This drama is just to keep the people on edge.
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AJ
Nov 27, 2018 02:09pm
The way these cases are set up puts the entire justice system in doubt with initial suggestion into the wrongdoing to evidence and accomplices all provided by the state itself.
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Mir
Nov 27, 2018 02:40pm
She should be prosecuted and punished to the full extent of the law for giving a bad name to all peace loving Pakistani people.
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Sami Ullah
Nov 27, 2018 02:58pm
Another Aafia. Let her face the reality then.
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Dhiman
Nov 27, 2018 03:35pm
She went for better life or to do something unusual.
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SalariakiAmmiRandi
Nov 27, 2018 03:49pm
The peace loving community.
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Srini
Nov 27, 2018 04:38pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, what? ??
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Raza
Nov 27, 2018 05:10pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, what are you talking about??.
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ZAK
Nov 27, 2018 05:19pm
Well done, showing initiative in latest technology, Pakistani style
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Bpd
Nov 27, 2018 06:09pm
Wrong very wrong.an innocent soul she is.
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fairplay
Nov 27, 2018 06:40pm
@Gin, sadly, yes. actions have consequences.
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Exlim
Nov 27, 2018 06:44pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad, "Mind boggling, heart throbbing tragedy"? What are you trying to say daactor Saab?
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Exlim
Nov 27, 2018 06:46pm
@Bpd, You are convinced she is innocent? Wow.
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Amit
Nov 27, 2018 07:08pm
No surprises there...
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Alba
Nov 27, 2018 09:40pm
@Surya Kant Agrawal, .... The FBI has solid evidence or they would not have made the arrest. These types of investigations generally take two years or so. Now even females have become criminals. She pleaded guilty because the evidence against her is air tight.
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M.Saeed
Nov 28, 2018 12:05am
She should be kept safe from frauds for life in prison.
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Steve lomas
Nov 28, 2018 12:28am
@Alba, trying to reason with fools!
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Veer Singh
Nov 28, 2018 12:48am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad - Your adjectives don't add up to anything.
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Harambe1
Nov 28, 2018 02:36am
Question: Is Zoobia Shahnaz not a Pakistani-American?
When she is released from prison and deported, she will most likely return to Pakistan, no?
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brmurr
Nov 28, 2018 03:02am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad,
What in the world are you jabbering about now?
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Mukul
Nov 28, 2018 03:37am
@Bpd, Please provide all evidence you have on her so called innocence
am sure FBI is waiting to hear your opinios
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Point blnk
Nov 28, 2018 06:58am
@Surya Kant Agrawal, It's easy for females to evade suspission.
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UM
Nov 28, 2018 02:47pm
She should be strippped of her US citizenship and deported back to Pakistan. If Pakistan doesn’t accept her, put her away for life in Gitmo. She committed high treason and should no longer be conferred the privileges of American citizenship.
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rosh
Nov 28, 2018 06:20pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad,
are you really a doctor just curious
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Guest
Nov 29, 2018 05:19am
@Bpd, “Wrong very wrong.an innocent soul she is.”
Another case where a daughter of nation is falsely implicated like Aafia.
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