A group of Armenian officials from various law enforcement agencies recently participated in a training program on crypto-asset investigations to combat cryptocurrency-related crimes. The training was conducted by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The training, which took place in Yerevan from April 24 to 26, brought together 27 representatives from different law enforcement agencies. During the three-day training, participants learned fundamental techniques and practical tools essential for conducting effective investigations into crypto-crimes, including tracing criminal transactions across blockchain networks. The training also provided a platform for the exchange of good practices among participants, enabling them to gain valuable insights into specialized analytics software and open-source tools relevant to the field.
In an effort to strengthen Armenia’s domestic law enforcement capabilities, particularly in investigating and tracing virtual assets, the training initiative aimed to equip the officials with the necessary skills in the rapidly evolving financial technology landscape. The OSCE-led project, titled “Innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks of virtual assets,” funded by various countries, including Germany, Italy, and the United States, aims to assist OSCE participating states in developing national capacities to mitigate criminal risks associated with virtual assets and cryptocurrencies. The collaboration between the OCEEA and UNODC provided Armenian officials with the tools and knowledge needed to trace transactions conducted on different blockchains, assess risks associated with specific addresses and exposure to illicit funds, and identify clusters of various transactions.
In a similar initiative, India offered officials from various cybercrime and police departments training in cryptocurrency forensics and investigation during the financial year 2022–2023, as part of efforts to combat cryptocurrency-related crimes. Under the Narcotics Control Bureau, 141 officers received training specifically focused on darknet investigations, cryptocurrencies, and workshops on digital footprints, intelligence gathering from open sources, and social media analysis. In response to a survey conducted by blockchain intelligence company TRM Labs, which revealed that 99% of law enforcement agencies need more training on crypto, the Indian training program aimed to equip law enforcement personnel with the necessary skills to combat cryptocurrency-related crimes through specialized training programs.
The survey collected responses from 300 law enforcement professionals globally, with 93% of respondents from US law enforcement organizations. The findings indicated that seven out of every 10 respondents reported that crypto crime investigations are “very” or “extremely” complex, with 61% stating that they lack the necessary tools or technology to accurately support their investigations. Respondents highlighted the need for additional training on various aspects of cryptocurrency investigations, including crypto fundamentals, investigation techniques, case studies, and the role of crypto exchanges in crime prevention. In collaboration with Thai government agencies, Binance hosted the first-ever blockchain and crypto training workshop for law enforcement in Thailand, focusing on these key topics to enhance the capabilities of authorities in combating crypto-related crimes.
Overall, the training initiatives conducted in various countries aim to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies in investigating and combating cryptocurrency-related crimes. By equipping officials with the necessary skills, tools, and knowledge to trace transactions across blockchain networks, assess risks associated with virtual assets, and effectively combat illicit activities in the crypto space, these training programs play a vital role in strengthening national law enforcement capacities in the evolving financial technology landscape. Through collaboration with international organizations and support from funding countries, these initiatives enable authorities to stay ahead of emerging threats and effectively tackle crypto crimes in a rapidly changing environment.
