A UK Nationwide Crime Company officer has been charged with the alleged theft of fifty Bitcoin in 2017, then value $77,000.
Paul Chowles, 42, from Bristol, stands charged with 15 counts of legal offences in relation to the theft, which he’s accused of getting dedicated whereas working as an operational officer on the NCA.
The alleged theft happened throughout an ongoing investigation into on-line organized crime, in response to the investigating Merseyside Police.
On the time, in 2017, the haul of fifty BTC was value round $77,000 (£60,000) however by right now's measure the worth stands nearer to $4 million.
In a press release, Malcolm McHaffie, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service Particular Crime Division, stated: "Mr Chowles, 42, is because of be charged with 11 offences of concealing, disguising, or changing legal property, three offences of buying, utilizing or possessing changing legal property and a single depend of theft."
Mr Chowles is because of seem on the Liverpool Magistrates' Court docket on 25 April 2025.
Mr McHaffie added that, "The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all involved that legal proceedings towards this defendant are actually lively and that he has the suitable to a good trial.
“This can be very vital that there must be no reporting, commentary or sharing of data on-line which may in any method prejudice these proceedings.”
What’s the NCA?
The Nationwide Crime Company is the UK's important company that works towards critical and arranged crime, with a deal with cybercrime and financial crime each nationally and internationally.
In 2024, the NCA was granted new powers to "seize, freeze and destroy" cryptocurrency utilized by criminals, enabling it to grab crypto from suspects with out being required to make an arrest.
