The Invisible Pipeline: How Hawala Transfers Fuel Global Crime The recent investigation by European broadcasters into a WhatsApp group chat used to send hundreds of millions of euros in cash around the world has shed light on a disturbing reality: the hawala transfer system is being exploited by organized crime and extremist groups.
Transactions totaling over €5,000 were facilitated through this network, with some members using Arabic to set up transactions, likely to avoid electronic surveillance.
The hawala system relies on trust between brokers in different locations, allowing for cross border transactions without the need for formal banking systems.