PANews reported on March 14 that according to British media Sky News, British police and prosecutors said that an officer of the National Crime Agency (NCA) has been charged with the theft of nearly 60,000 pounds of Bitcoin during an investigation into organized cybercrime. A spokesman for Merseyside Police said that Paul Chowles, 42, was charged with 15 counts related to the alleged theft of 50 Bitcoins in 2017. Eight years ago, the value of these cryptocurrencies was close to 60,000 pounds, and now it is worth more than 3 million pounds. Chowles will appear in Liverpool Magistrates' Court next month.
Malcolm McHaffie, head of the Special Crime Unit at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: “We have authorized Merseyside Police to prosecute National Crime Agency officer Paul Chowles for his alleged involvement in the theft of 50 Bitcoins, valued at nearly £60,000 in 2017, during his investigation into online organised crime. The CPS would like to remind all concerned that criminal proceedings have now been commenced against the defendant and that he is entitled to a fair trial.”
