An 18-year-old from Ilford who provided cyber-security advice to international terror networks has been jailed for four years and two months.
Counter-terrorism officers stopped 16-year-old Yusuf Shah at Heathrow Airport under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act in January 2024. The arrest followed an investigation into the online activities of the teenager from Ilford.
Sentence handed down at Crown Court
Shah, who is now 18 years old, was convicted at Kingston Crown Court and sentenced to four years and two months in prison.
He was convicted on five counts, including three counts of collecting terrorist materials, one count of entering or becoming concerned in an arrangement to make funds available for terrorism, and one count of providing instruction intended for use in terrorist activities.
Cryptocurrency advice given to al-Qaeda
An investigation into Shah’s mobile phone revealed he had accessed an online magazine published by al-Qaeda that provided instructions on how to carry out terrorist acts. He had also downloaded documents containing instructions on how to manufacture explosives and use various lethal weapons.
The teenager participated in Telegram messaging groups that supported terrorist organisations. Within these groups, he advised members on using untraceable cryptocurrency to make financial contributions to al-Qaeda.
This is reflective of a growing trend of young people being radicalised and accessing extremely dangerous and violent terrorist ideologies and material online.
Cdr Helen Flanagan, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing London
Manual produced for Taliban group
In March 2024, an individual contacted Shah on the Telegram app to ask for assistance in creating a cyber-security guide for Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP), a terror group. The individual stated that a senior official within TTP had requested the material.
Shah created and sent a document titled “A Guide on Cybersecurity” that contained detailed information and instruction on cyber-security and cryptocurrency usage.
Early radicalisation warned by police
Police investigations revealed that Shah was being drawn into violent extremist ideologies and material when he was just 13 or 14 years old.
Cdr Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, noted how advanced his online capabilities had become:
Even at the age of just 16, Shah had enough knowledge of the online world to be able to provide practical advice to terrorist groups on how to make anonymous cryptocurrency payments.
She warned parents and carers to stay aware of what children access on the internet, stating:
I would implore you to have conversations, to be inquisitive about what your children are doing online.