WhatsApp group chat used to launder hundreds of millions for crime and extremism, European investigation finds

The group chat, called "Traders of Greater Europe," contained more than 82,000 messages sent between late February and December 2022, and was used to arrange cash transfers across borders for clients, including to British cities such as Birmingham and London. In one case, payments from Brussels reached militants from the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria.

The chat was first uncovered by Belgian investigating magistrate Vincent Guerra. He described the number of transactions as "staggering" and said the network covered "the entire planet." The case began as a terror financing investigation, but Guerra noted that aspect "became just a drop in the ocean of transactions."

The EBU investigation also found wider evidence of similar cash transfer systems being used in people smuggling and drug trafficking.

Why This Matters

Highlights how encrypted messaging apps can be exploited for large-scale financial crime with little oversight.
Shows the global reach of informal money transfer systems, bypassing traditional banking and regulatory scrutiny.
Raises questions about the responsibilities of tech platforms like WhatsApp in preventing illicit use of their services.

Background

This investigation is part of a broader probe by the EBU's investigative journalism network, which coordinated across multiple European broadcasters. The case originated in Belgium as a counter-terrorism inquiry before expanding into a sprawling money-laundering investigation. The method used — known as hawala — relies on trust and informal networks to move value without physical cash crossing borders or banks being notified.

Key Perspectives

Law Enforcement (Belgian investigating magistrate Vincent Guerra): The scale of transactions was enormous, and the network operated worldwide. The terror-financing aspect turned out to be a small part of a much larger criminal financial system. Privacy and Tech Rights Advocates: Encrypted messaging provides essential protection for journalists, activists and ordinary users. Liability for user conduct should rest with perpetrators, not platform providers. Critics/Skeptics: Law enforcement may push for weakened encryption or expanded surveillance powers in response to such cases, raising civil liberties concerns. The effectiveness of such measures remains debated.

What to Watch

Whether Belgian or other European authorities announce arrests or charges linked to the chat group.
Potential regulatory or legislative responses targeting informal money transfer networks and encrypted communications.
Further revelations from the EBU investigation into the broader cash-transfer ecosystem.

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