NJOHSP 2023 White Racially Motivated Extremist Snapshot; NJOHSP, Salem County to Host Houses of Worship Security Program; QR Code Phishing Campaigns; ISIS Leader Confirmed Dead, Replacement Named

As a supplement to the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness’ 2023 Threat Assessment, agency analysts have compiled a snapshot outlining the 2022 nationwide activities of white racially motivated extremists and the threat level they pose to New Jersey. Analysts assessed that WRMEs continue to pose a high threat in 2023 as these extremists may plot and conduct attacks and provide financial support within the state. These extremists are likely to exploit military tactics, techniques and procedures to gain combat experience, tactical training and weapons proficiency. While WRMEs often recruit former and current military personnel, such as former Marine Matthew Belanger, they also research manifestos and online forums to justify their violent rhetoric and to advocate attacking targets that oppose their views. Belanger, arrested in June 2022, was the alleged leader of a neo-Nazi group, which was planning to attack a New York synagogue. Belanger was also reportedly the author of the group’s manifesto. The FBI found in his possession over 1,900 images related to “white power groups, Nazi literature, [and] brutality towards the Jewish community [and] women.” As their primary tactic, New Jersey-based WRMEs will continue to spread their ideology and recruit new members, while coordinating group meetups and training activities. Groups will likely attempt to establish stronger ties within the state, stockpile weapons and tactical equipment, communicate online and travel across state lines to engage in tactical training or to participate in rallies. Lone offenders, like Peyton Gendron, who killed 10 individuals and injured three others in a racist mass shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, last year, may also engage in isolated attacks. Further details are available in NJOHSP's white racially motivated extremists snapshot.

As part of its ongoing outreach efforts to faith-based organizations, the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, in conjunction with the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is offering a Houses of Worship Security Program Aug. 22.

• Date: Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023
• Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Registration begins at 5 p.m.)
• Location: PSEG Energy & Environmental Resource Center
• Address: 244 Chestnut Street, Salem, NJ 08079
• Register: forms.office.com/g/JyihyppUMN

Religious leaders and houses of worship safety and security committee members of all faiths in the immediate areas are welcome to attend. Interested parties must register prior to each seminar. For more information, email training@njohsp.gov.

The New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell recent witnessed threat actors using QR codes to share suspicious links in two new phishing campaigns. While one campaign inserted the QR code directly into the body of the email, another included a PDF attachment that contained the QR code. The emails impersonated IT departments and used lures of updates to, or maintenance of, 2FA (two-factor authentication, also known as multifactor authentication). Separately, the Better Business Bureau recently reported on a QR code fraud scheme in which scammers placed fake QR code stickers on top of legitimate ones on parking meters. The FBI released a public service announcement in January 2022, providing tips to avoid these scams. The NJCCIC advises users to avoid scanning QR codes included in emails without first verifying the communication's legitimacy and to follow the FBI and BBB’s recommendations. Also, look for signs of QR code tampering and review any associated URL before navigating to the website. Visit the NJCCIC’s website for more information.

ISIS confirmed Aug. 3 that its leader died while fighting an al-Qa’ida-linked group in Syria and named a successor, according to media reports. The group replaced previous head, Abu al-Husayn al-Husayni al-Qurayshi, whose date of death has not been disclosed, with Abu Hafs al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi. An ISIS official said that the late leader “was martyred” during a gun battle in rebel-held northwestern Syria as the region’s al-Qa’ida-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham tried to take him captive. The former leader is the fourth ISIS head killed since Iraqi militant Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi founded the group and declared a caliphate in large parts of Syria and Iraq in June 2014. The terrorist group’s power has since waned, and al-Baghdadi died in a U.S. raid in October 2019. In April, Turkey’s president said Turkish intelligence agents killed Abu al-Husayn al-Husayni al-Qurayshi in northern Syria, a claim ISIS denied. ISIS split from al-Qa’ida a decade ago and attracted supporters from around the world. Despite its defeat in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria two years later, ISIS militants still carry out deadly attacks in both countries. A U.S.-led coalition and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces continue to conduct raids against ISIS in Syria.

Additional Resources
ISIS Snapshot