A New York man was arrested today for unwittingly funding the attempted Times Square bombing with his unlicensed banking service. Police say 44-year-old Mohammad Younis ran an informal “hawala” banking service, using wire transfers couriers and overnight mail to move money around. He allegedly provided thousands to Faisal Shahzad, the AP reports.
“By engaging in the alleged conduct, Mohammad Younis unwittingly funded a terror plot that, if successful, would have caused mass casualties,” the US Attorney said. Prosecutors don’t think Younis had any idea what the money would be used for however; they’re just charging him with running an unlicensed money transfer service, and conspiracy to do the same. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
(More Mohammad Younis stories.)