Thread by @ATHARProject

THREAD UPDATE 2: Three days ago we highlighted how this Facebook group created on Nov 6 for trafficking books and artifacts had doubled.

It gained another 500+ members in that 3 days, and more illicit material is being offered for sale from across MENA, including in conflict.

https://twitter.com/ATHARProject/status/1331615942628036609

New material is offered in this antiquities trafficking Facebook group every hour.

Just three hours ago a user, who does not have a listed location, offered a handwritten Quran for sale.

Within minutes group members inquired about the price.

This is the Facebook black market.

On Nov. 27 a user listed in Basra, Iraq offered 16 artifacts for sale in the Facebook trafficking group created on Nov. 6.

While most of the material is likely fake, *it still monetizes illicit networks,* and pieces like the gold coins can be sold for their material value.

A look at the Basra-based user's profile shows that he follows multiple pages for the sale of scrap metal - a signal that he engages in moving multiple types of material across Facebook.

Although this Facebook trafficking group is dedicated to Jewish books and artifacts it has seen a flurry of illuminated Qurans offered in recent days.

Facebook's algorithms push material to users based on similar interests and locations, which may Influenced the wave of Qurans.

Just this hour, another Jewish book has been offered for sale. The user notes that this book is available in Algeria.

While this book may be fake, *it still monetizes illicit networks." Fake books are often partially real—made from ancient material modified in the modern era.