West London man jailed for funding Daesh terror cell in Syria
Tarek Namouz, 43, from West London, has been locked up for 12 years after sending more than £11,000 to a Daesh supporter in Syria. The pair discussed buying weapons and explosives to target Syrian government forces.
Secret cash transfers exposed by counter-terror cops
Namouz was caught in a carefully planned counter-terror raid in May 2021. Detectives uncovered money transfers totalling £11,280 through a West London money exchange, though he later claimed to have sent nearly £25,000. The cash helped fund terrorist activities overseas.
Despite claiming he had no phone, officers found a hidden device in his flat containing thousands of Daesh messages, propaganda, and chilling guides on bomb-making and knife attacks.
Covid business grants fuelled terror cash flow
The court heard Namouz ran a barbershop in Hammersmith and received Covid bounce-back loans from the local council between 2020 and 2021. Instead of using the funds to save his business, he funnelled the government aid to terrorists abroad.
“In 2020 and 2021, you ran a barbers shop in Hammersmith. You were entitled to Covid bounce-back loans which were paid to you by the local council. You sent that money, and other money, through a west London transfer and currency exchange, to terrorists in Syria.” – HHJ Lodder KC
Met’s counter terror chief vows to crack down on terror funding
“Terrorist groups rely on funding to carry out their activities and to continue to operate. People like Namouz who provide money to terrorist groups – both in the UK and overseas – are enabling others to go and commit serious and deadly attacks, and we will always pursue and investigate those people and seek to bring them to justice.” – Commander Richard Smith, Met’s Counter Terrorism Command
How you can help fight terrorism
If you spot anything suspicious or think someone is involved in terrorist activity, don’t stay silent. Report concerns confidentially at gov.uk/ACT or call the anti-terror hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency, dial 999 immediately.
