UK Crime Agency Seeks Experienced Crypto Investigators

Jimmy Aki
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The UK National Crime Agency (NCA) has taken proactive measures to combat cryptocurrency-related offenses by actively seeking experienced crypto investigators.

The agency is particularly interested in candidates who are already certified and accredited financial investigators (AFI) and are currently employed within the police staff.

NCA Opens Vacancy for Two Blockchain Investigators

With the increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies, Crime Agency Seeks Experienced Crypto Investigators, there has been a surge in criminal activities involving digital currencies.

Recognizing the need to tackle this growing threat, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has taken proactive steps to strengthen its investigative capabilities.

Recently, the NCA established a dedicated digital assets team within the Complex Financial Crime Team (CFCT) to combat cryptocurrency-related offenses effectively. The agency is actively seeking to recruit two blockchain investigators to bolster this team further.

The NCA is particularly interested in candidates who are already part of the police staff and hold certification as accredited financial investigators (AFI). These qualifications make them ideal candidates to join the agency’s efforts in combating cryptocurrency-related crimes.

Apart from AFI certification, the preferred candidates should possess relevant experience in blockchain analysis, criminal investigation, and a comprehensive understanding of legislation in this domain.

The vacancies offer an exciting opportunity to become part of the newly established Digital Assets Team as a Cryptocurrency Financial Investigations Manager (CFIM) within the CFCT. As the CFIM, the role will oversee complex investigations related to cryptocurrency and digital assets from a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) perspective.

As the CFIM, the expected role will involve overseeing complex investigations related to cryptocurrency and digital assets from a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) perspective.

This is a critical responsibility to ensure that all investigations adhere to POCA regulations.
Moreover, the Digital Assets Team will collaborate closely with other components of CFCT and the larger law enforcement community.

Candidates interested in these positions are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline, which is set at 11:55 p.m. on Monday, August 7th.

Following the application submission phase, interviews will be conducted between September and October 2023. The specific interview locations are yet to be confirmed.

The position offers a salary of approximately 47,380 British pounds ($61,076.37), including other civil service benefits.

UK’s Path to Crypto Policing

As cryptocurrencies continue to revolutionize the financial landscape, they have also attracted the attention of cybercriminals looking to exploit the technology for their gain.

The news of this role vacancy is coming when the UK is strengthening the authority of its public sector to curb the potential of cryptocurrencies in facilitating unlawful activities.

In November 2022, the Financial Times reported that data from the UK police unit Action Fraud revealed that cryptocurrency fraud in the country surged by 32%, amounting to £226 million ($273 million) in just one year.

The surge in fraud comes amidst ongoing economic challenges, including the collapse of the FTX exchange, a recession, and an increase in the cost of living in the UK.

These economic factors have made individuals more susceptible to falling victim to fraudsters, especially less experienced investors who may be enticed by promises of substantial returns.

Hinesh Shah, a forensic accountant at Pinsent Masons law firm, told the Financial Times that fraudsters prey on less experienced investors by luring them with promises of significant returns during tough economic times.

To counter the rising instances of crypto-related fraud, several UK banks have taken preventive measures.

For instance, Starling, a digital bank, tightened its restrictions on inbound and outbound cryptocurrency-related transactions. It stated the high-risk nature of speculative assets frequently used for criminal purposes.

Furthermore, acknowledging the growing concern over cryptocurrency crime, the NCA made a significant move by establishing the National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU) Crypto Cell in January 2023.

This proactive step reflects the agency’s intensified focus on policing crypto assets, although it has been interested in combating crypto crime for some time.

About Jimmy Aki PRO INVESTOR

Based in the UK, Jimmy is an economic researcher with outstanding hands-on and heads-on experience in Macroeconomic finance analysis, forecasting and planning. He has honed his skills having worked cross-continental as a finance analyst, which gives him inter-cultural experience. He currently has a strong passion for regulation and macroeconomic trends as it allows him peek under the global bonnet to see how the world works.