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Citing reference:
FATF (2015), Financing of the terrorist organisation Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), FATF,
www.fatf-gafi.org/topics/methodsandtrends/documents/financing-of-terrorist-organisation-isil.html
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FINANCING OF THE TERRORIST ORGANISATION ISLAMIC STATE IN IRAQ AND THE LEVANT (ISIL)
2015
1
CONTENTS
ACRONYMS ......................................................................................................................................... 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ 5
I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 9
Purpose, scope and objectives .................................................................................................................... 9
Methodology, participants and data utilized ............................................................................................... 9
Nature and evolution of the terrorist threat ............................................................................................. 10
FATF, United Nations and other Statements on ISIL ................................................................................. 11
II. SOURCES OF FUNDING .................................................................................................................. 12
1. Illicit Proceeds from occupation of territory including extortion and theft ......................................... 12
1.1 Bank Looting, Extortion and Human Trafficking .............................................................................. 12
1.2 Control of Oil and Gas Reservoirs..................................................................................................... 13
1.3 Extorting Agriculture ........................................................................................................................ 15
1.4 Other Resource Extraction and Production Facilities....................................................................... 16
1.5 Cultural Artefacts ............................................................................................................................. 16
1.6 Illicit Taxation of Goods and Cash that Transit Territory where ISIL Operates ................................ 17
1.7 Salary Payments to Iraqi Government Employees ........................................................................... 17
2. Kidnapping for ransom........................................................................................................................... 18
3. Donations including by or through non-profit organisations (NPOs) .................................................... 18
4. Material support to include foreign terrorist fighters .......................................................................... 20
5. Fundraising through modern communication networks ....................................................................... 24
III. MOVEMENT AND USE OF FUNDS AND OTHER ASSETS ................................................................... 27
1. Financial institutions .............................................................................................................................. 27
1.1 Financial Institutions in Iraq ............................................................................................................. 27
1.2 Financial Institutions in Syria ............................................................................................................ 28
2. Money and Value Transfer Services (MVTS) .......................................................................................... 28
3. Smuggling (cash, gold or other valuable items) ..................................................................................... 29
4. Financial management and expenditure of funds and assets ............................................................... 29
IV.
ISSUES FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND COOPERATION ..................................................... 32
1. Disrupting financial flows ....................................................................................................................... 32
1.1 International Cooperation ................................................................................................................ 33
2. Depriving ISIL from its Resources........................................................................................................... 33
2.1 Targeted Financing Sanctions........................................................................................................... 33
2.2 Oil Smuggling and Sales .................................................................................................................... 34
2.3 Kidnapping for Ransom .................................................................................................................... 35
2.4 Fundraising through modern communication networks ................................................................. 36
2.5 Material Support and FTFs ............................................................................................................... 36
3. Preventing ISIL from Abusing Relevant Sectors ..................................................................................... 36
3.1 Financial Sector ................................................................................................................................ 36