Two Louisiana brothers have been charged over an alleged Hamas fundraising network that prosecutors say collected more than $1.7M through campaigns presented as humanitarian aid for Gaza, with an undercover NYPD operation helping investigators gather evidence.
Abdel Adhami and his brother Omar Adhami were arrested in Louisiana in September. Federal complaints filed on 11 September allege that the brothers sent money to Saleem Alzaq, whom the FBI believed was based in Gaza and had posted Hamas propaganda on social media since at least 2021. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the brothers have not entered pleas.
Alleged Fundraising Operation Used Social Media
Prosecutors claim the wider operation collected more than $1.7M from donors, including people in the US, between January 2020 and December 2025. The campaigns were presented as fundraising for humanitarian assistance in Gaza, with at least $626,000 allegedly coming from US-based donors.
According to the complaint, Abdel used several Snapchat accounts to post Hamas propaganda, solicit donations, and direct followers to a Telegram channel. The channel allegedly carried material supporting Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad and solicited contributions.
Court filings allege that Abdel sent more than $83,000 through various transactions between 2023 and 2026. The filings detail $81,272 sent through two PayPal accounts, as well as a separate $2,000 Western Union transfer in October 2023. His brother Omar allegedly sent more than $6,000 to Alzaq and his associates.
'Bread' Allegedly Used as Code for Funds
Investigators say the brothers and Saleem Alzaq, a 45-year-old Gaza-based man with reported longstanding ties to Hamas, used coded language to disguise discussions about money intended for the group.
In one exchange cited in the complaint, Alzaq told Abdel, 'Some of them received the bread, thanks be to God.' In another message cited in court records, Abdel instructed his brother not to refer to the funds by name on WhatsApp, telling him instead to use the word 'bread'.
Undercover NYPD Operation Helped Expose Alleged Network
In November 2025, Alzaq allegedly contacted an undercover NYPD officer who went by 'Hussain' on Snapchat. A month later, reports say Alzaq directed the undercover officer to contact Abdel about transferring funds. 'Call him and come to an understanding with him and see what's the best method, how to transfer, how to send them (funds). This young man transfers to me on a monthly basis,' according to the complaint.
Court documents do not establish whether the undercover officer ultimately transferred money to Abdel. Abdel reportedly replied on WhatsApp, 'But do not worry. Everything is legal, God willing.'
Brothers Face Federal Charges Over Alleged Hamas Funding
Both Abdel and his brother Omar face charges of providing material support to a foreign terrorist organisation and wire fraud. Abdel also faces a money-laundering charge, according to his criminal complaint.
Meanwhile, Alzaq is charged with four counts of conspiracy involving material support for Hamas, violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, money laundering, and defrauding the United States. The first three carry maximum penalties of 20 years in prison each if convicted, while the fourth carries a maximum of five years, according to the indictment.
'The NYPD's counterterrorism work knows no borders,' Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. 'This is the kind of extraordinary counterterrorism work the NYPD does every day to disrupt threats before they reach New Yorkers, and I thank our law enforcement partners for helping us dismantle this network,' she added.
