British authorities have charged National Crime Agency (NCA) officials with multiple crimes related to the 2017 50 Bitcoin theft charge.
At the time of the alleged theft in 2017, Bitcoin was valued at around 60,000 pounds (valued to $77,400).
However, as Bitcoin’s value has skyrocketed over the years, the value of the assets has increased significantly, and is now worth around £3.2 million (over $4 million).
case
On March 13, the Crown Prosecutor’s Office (CPS) confirmed that Merseyside police were permitted to proceed with the case.
Malcolm Machafee, director of the Crown Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Crimes Division, said:
“Chawls, 42, will be charged with 11 crimes of concealment, disguising or conversion of criminal property, three crimes of acquisition, use or possession of criminal property, and a single charge of theft.”
Chawls is scheduled to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on April 25th.
CPS emphasized that criminal cases are aggressive and that Chowles is entitled to a fair trial. They also warned against online discussions or reports that could affect the legal process.
The CPS Special Crimes Division handles some of the most complex and sensitive cases in England and Wales, including police officers, corporate manslaughter charges and serious allegations of election-related crimes.
The role of the NCA in the fight against crypto crime
As a leading institution to tackle serious and organized crime in the UK, the NCA focuses on fighting threats such as cybercrime and financial fraud at the national and international levels.
Last year, they were given the authority to seize, freeze and destroy cryptocurrencies used for criminal activities.
The agency bent the authorities in December 2024 when it led an international operation targeting Russian money laundering networks involved in organized crime in several regions, including the UK, the Middle East, Russia and South America.
The operation, known as the unstable operation, led to the arrest of 84 individuals associated with two Russian-speaking crime syndicates, Smart and TGR.
It also led to the seizing of £20 million ($25.4 million) in cash and crypto.
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