The National Operations Centre (NOC) last year had advised lead security agencies to probe signs of cyber-money laundering, via a popular on-line payment service, which has been tagged as a format for organised transnational crime, including facets of on-line terrorist fund-raising, former NOC head Garvin Heerah says.
Speaking on terrorist cyber-recruitment, financing, cyber-terrorism and related issues, Heerah said: “Internet sites host messages and propaganda videos which help raise morale and further the expansion of recruitment and fund-raising networks.
“The Internet also provides a global pool of potential recruits and donors. Online terrorist fund-raising has become so commonplace some organisations are able to accept donations via a particular popular online payment service.
“This practice has been examined by T&T authorities and agencies were strongly advised to ensure in-depth cyber intelligence monitoring was utilised, especially as there were signs and indicators the system did not present an enhanced ‘security fencing’ of the financial and cyber domain,” he added.
Heerah, now out of NOC, said signs noted an increase in activity from T&T. He was uncertain if NOC’s advice was followed up.
He said: “Intelligence from international affiliates and local authorities has proven terrorists are increasingly using the Internet as communication with each other and the rest of the world.
“Also, more prevalent, there’s also a significant aspect of the recruitment and money movement processes taking place in cyber space.
“The Internet is a powerful tool for terrorists who use online message boards and chat rooms to share information, co-ordinate attacks, spread propaganda, raise funds, recruit, tutors.
“Haifa University’s Gabriel Weimann, whose research on the subject is widely cited, says the number of terrorist sites increased exponentially over the last decade from less than 100 to more than 5,000 two years ago.”
Heerah added: “The knee-jerk reaction is if you see a terrorist site you shut it down. Research has shown that doing so can cause investigators to miss out on a wealth of valuable information,
“T&T will need to prioritise the risk and threats evolving around cyber terrorism and the use of the internet and social media to promote ideology and indoctrination. It’s advised that a specialist group dedicated to this activity and monitoring be established and a joint regional and international effort on this,”
Muslim community leader, Nafeesa Mohammed, also expressed concern about the combined influence on local youths from certain groups in T&T who have had a “very fundamentalistic” approach to Islam, plus the effects of social media.
Mohammed said the problem was compounded by the fact local masjids lacked social cohesion, making youths vulnerable to cyber recruiting.
“The community needs to revive traditional practices that condemned rise of islamic fundamentalism,” she added.
Griffith: No data
Former national security minister Gary Griffith wants citizens to “become the eyes and ears of law enforcement agencies.
Griffith clarified that while there was data to verify some nationals have indeed travelled to Syria to become FTFs, at no time have I ever received any information during my tenure or after of any national becoming a Foreign Terrorist Fighter (FTF) and returning and at no time have I ever stated this.
“To my knowledge, there has been no data to state any of them returned. There may have been citizens who have travelled to Syria and returned but those persons weren’t deemed FTFs.
“This is a time when we all need to be very vigilant and aware of what is happening around us and never assume terrorism cannot strike T&T. I’m confident the Prime Minister as the chair of the National Security Council has this as a front-burning issue.”