British Officer Accused of Stealing Seized 50 BTC

Paul Choulas, an officer of the UK’s National Crime Agency, is suspected of stealing 50 BTC that had been seized. This is reported on the CPS website.

According to law enforcement, the crime occurred in 2017 during an investigation into organized crime on the internet. At the time, the stolen assets were valued at approximately £60,000 (~$77,680).

Choulas faces 15 charges: 11 counts related to concealing, disguising, and converting criminal funds, three counts of using or possessing them, and one charge of theft.

The officer is set to appear before the Liverpool court on April 25. The CPS reminded that Choulas is entitled to a fair trial and urged restraint from comments and publications that could influence the proceedings.

Earlier, Juan Carlos Reynoso from the United States was fined for concealing 119.65 BTC that had been seized. Until the bitcoins are transferred to the government’s wallet, he is required to pay $10,000 for each day of delay.

In January, a British cryptocurrency extortion gang was sentenced to a total of 76 years in prison.

In February 2024, Melbourne federal police officer William Whittle was charged with stealing 81.6 BTC confiscated from a drug syndicate.