A member of the UK National Crime Agency has been charged with the alleged robbery of 50 Cryptocurrency in 2017, which was later for$ 77, 000.
Paul Chowles, 42, from Bristol, is accused of committing the theft while serving as an NCA administrative officer and is facing 15 counts of unlawful infractions.
According to the investigating London Police, the alleged theft occurred while an ongoing research into online organized crime was being conducted.
The haul of 50 BTC was estimated to be worth around$ 77, 000 ( £60, 000 ) at the time, but by today’s standards, the value is closer to$ 4 million.
Mr. Chowles, 42, is scheduled to become charged with 11 counts of concealing, disguising, or converting legal house, three of using or possessing converting legal home, and one count of robbery, according to Malcolm McHaffie, mind of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime Division.
On April 25, 2025, Mr. Chowles will make his appearance at the Liverpool Magistrates ‘ Court.
The Crown Prosecution Service, according to Mr. McHaffie, “reminds all concerned that this defendant has the right to a fair trial and that legal proceedings are now being pursued against him.”
It is crucial that no net monitoring, commentary, or sharing of information that could in any way affect these proceedings been done.
What exactly is the NCA?
The National Crime Agency is the main organization in the UK that fights against organized and significant violence, with a particular focus on crime and financial crime both domestically and internationally.
The NCA was given new authority in 2024 to” seize, thaw, and ruin”” crypto used by thieves, enabling it to capture bitcoin from suspects without being required to make an arrest.
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