The latest report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has stated that a “violent extremist organisation under investigation” in India collected funds through “well-structured networks” including offline and online fundraising mechanisms such as circulating QR codes and account details.

Without naming the organisation, the FATF report referred to the Popular Front of India (PFI) as having resorted to a solicitation for funds at mosques and public places, which were ultimately used to procure arms and ammunition and for training the cadres, Indian Express reported.

The FATF is the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.

Also Read: NIA conducts raids across multiple states targeting PFI-linked activities

“Indian officials reported that a violent extremist organisation under investigation collected funds through well-structured networks spanning the entire country. Resorting to solicitation at mosques and public places, the group’s fundraising tactics included offline and online mechanisms, such as circulating QR codes and account details through which donors were asked to send money. Over 3,000 bank accounts and informal value transfer systems were used,” said the FATF citing the case study on PFI in its latest report titled ‘Crowdfunding for Terrorism Financing’.

The FATF report said the accounts involved both domestic and foreign transactions, making this case extremely difficult to investigate.

“Funds were ultimately used to procure arms and ammunition and for training the cadres of the violent extremist organisation, among other purposes. A portion of the funds raised through crowdfunding was also invested and parked in businesses and real estate projects to generate regular income for terrorism activities,” it said.

Also Read: Centre bans PFI, eight other associated organisations for five years

The report has also mentioned that “eight individuals in leadership roles within the violent organisation have been arrested” on terrorist financing (TF) charges and prosecution complaints have been filed. As a result of the investigation, Rs 3.5 crore in assets are being sought for confiscation, it said.

PFI declared ‘unlawful association’

In September last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) along with its “associates or affiliates or fronts including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as “unlawful association”.

This notification came after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) along with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had carried out nationwide searches, detain, and arrest operations against the PFI, its offices, and members.

Last month, the NIA searched 20 locations across six states in connection with a case against the banned PFI for allegedly attempting to disturb a rally of the Prime Minister in Bihar last year.