Terrorist Financing - How Technology and Youth Culture Are Changing the Risk Landscape

In this episode of Third Party Risk Perspectives, host Chris Sindik, Senior Director of Third-Party Risk and Due Diligence at Blue Umbrella, sits down with Sakshi Sharma, Assistant Manager and leader of Blue Umbrella’s monitoring team, to explore the fast-evolving world of terrorist financing. Sakshi shares frontline insights into both traditional funding methods—such as counterfeit goods, drug trafficking, charity fraud, and illicit oil sales—and the next-generation tactics reshaping the threat landscape. Together, they discuss how terrorist groups now exploit social media, online gaming, digital payments, deepfakes, and AI-powered propaganda to recruit vulnerable youth, launder money, and spread misinformation. Listeners will learn: • How modern online platforms enable covert recruitment and financial flows • Why deepfakes and AI increase the effectiveness of terrorist propaganda • How scammers manipulate youth culture through “easy money” schemes • What organizations and individuals can do to stay vigilant • Why awareness, skepticism, and strong internal controls are more critical than ever This is an essential conversation for compliance professionals, risk leaders, parents, and anyone navigating today’s hyperconnected world.