A vast international network used a single WhatsApp group chat to arrange the transfer of hundreds of millions of euros in cash, facilitating organised crime and extremist activities globally without leaving a paper trail. The 532-member group, known as Traders of Greater Europe, was instrumental in coordinating these cross-border cash movements for clients, with transactions reaching as far as British cities like Birmingham and London.

This sophisticated operation leveraged the ancient hawala money transfer system, which relies on a network of trusted brokers to move funds internationally. Unlike conventional banking systems that generate electronic records and are subject to scrutiny for suspicious activity, hawala operates on trust between brokers, who settle accounts later. While often used for legitimate remittances, especially in regions with limited banking access, the system is also exploited by criminals to evade financial monitoring.

An investigation by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) revealed that the Traders of Greater Europe group chat contained over 82,000 messages exchanged between late February and December 2022. The scale of transactions was described as staggering, with the network spanning the entire globe. Belgian investigating magistrate Vincent Guerra, who initially uncovered the group during an investigation into terror financing, noted that the case quickly expanded beyond its original scope, revealing a far larger picture of illicit financial flows.

Key details emerged from a Belgian court case in 2024 that convicted six money launderers, including the network's Brussels-based leader, Abu Adam, and his second-in-command, Abu Ahmed. Belgian police discovered evidence suggesting that funds were being sent to militants from the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria, intended to help the wives of fighters escape detention camps. The Traders of Greater Europe chat was found on Abu Adam's phone following his arrest.

The group chat was specifically designated for transactions exceeding €5,000, with many payments being significantly larger. Messages were primarily exchanged in Arabic, a common practice within hawala networks. While hawala is illegal in most of the EU, it remains legal in the UK under specific registration requirements with HMRC, provided brokers are properly licensed.

Investigators found wider evidence of similar cash transfer systems being employed in other criminal enterprises, including people smuggling and drug trafficking. The EBU's findings highlight the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking funds moved through informal channels that bypass traditional financial institutions like those using the SWIFT system.

While the investigation uncovered direct links to payments for IS militants, it is important to note that not all participants in the group chat were necessarily involved in handling criminal funds. The system's nature allows for a wide range of users, making it difficult to distinguish legitimate from illicit transfers without direct evidence.

Belgian authorities are continuing to explore the full extent of the network's operations and its connections to various criminal and extremist organisations. The case underscores the persistent threat posed by informal money transfer systems in facilitating global illicit finance and the ongoing efforts by international broadcasters and law enforcement to expose and dismantle them.