Armenian Officials Receive Training on Effective Methods and Tools for Investigating Crypto-Crimes
Ruholamin Haqshanas
Updated:
April 26, 2024 05:02 EDT
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2 min read
A group of officials from various Armenian law enforcement agencies recently underwent training on conducting investigations into crypto-related crimes. The training, organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills to combat crypto-asset offenses.
The training, which took place in Yerevan from April 24 to 26, brought together 27 representatives from different law enforcement agencies. Over the course of three days, the participants immersed themselves in learning essential techniques and practical tools for effective crypto-crime investigations.
The sessions drew from real-world cases and focused on basic methods for tracing criminal transactions across various blockchain networks. The training also provided an opportunity for participants to exchange good practices and gain insights into specialized analytics software and open-source tools relevant to the field.
These tools enable investigators to trace transactions conducted on different blockchains, evaluate the risks associated with specific addresses and illicit funds, and identify clusters of transactions, among other capabilities.
Kurban Babayev, an economic adviser at OCEEA, emphasized the importance of strengthening Armenia’s domestic law enforcement capabilities in investigating and tracing virtual assets, particularly in the ever-changing landscape of financial technology.
The training initiative is part of a project called “Innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks of virtual assets,” led by OSCE and funded by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The project aims to help OSCE participating states develop national capacities to address criminal risks associated with virtual assets and cryptocurrencies.
This training effort aligns with similar initiatives in other countries. In the previous financial year, India provided training in cryptocurrency forensics and investigation to officials from various cybercrime and police departments. The goal was to equip law enforcement personnel with the necessary skills to combat crypto-related crimes.
A survey conducted by blockchain intelligence company TRM Labs revealed that 99% of law enforcement professionals worldwide require more training on crypto. The survey, which collected responses from 300 professionals, highlighted the complexity of crypto crime investigations and the need for adequate tools and technology to support these investigations effectively.
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