The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) is on a mission to put an end to crypto-related crimes in the country. It is now expanding its Digital Assets Team (DAT) by hiring four senior investigators under its Complex Financial Crime Team, also known as CFCT.
The job position which is titled ‘Digital Assets Senior Investigator’ will involve investigating high-end crypto fraud, money laundering and other blockchain-based crime carried out by organised crime groups.
The person in this role will carry out investigations into complex blockchain technology-enabled crime. The new members of the team will work alongside and collaborate with investigators, intelligence and analysis staff to fully develop complex cases.
In addition to this, they will also be in close contact with the other elements of CFCT and the wider law enforcement community. The job description explained the role of this crime team saying: “The Complex Financial Crime Team (CFCT) conducts high end proactive illicit finance investigations. The branch has a number of operational teams that are deployed to deliver this. In addition we operate a dedicated surveillance team and a taskforce working in partnership with the City of London Police.”
The job would potentially include the disruption of criminal activity within virtual arenas, high end of high harm cryptocurrency and virtual assets fraud and money laundering offences carried out by significant organised crime groups and state actors.
Successful candidates will be a part of a team within the Investigation and Interdiction element of the DAT. Due to the nature of blockchain related crime, they might also encounter a significant international element to the investigations.
Eligibility counts on having a current or active Professionalising Investigation Programme Level-2 accreditation or any equivalent government-issued qualification on investigative crime. The salary ranges from £34,672 to £38,314 ($44,145 to $48,782.92), along with other civil service benefits.
The selection process would involve assessment based on technical skills like a good understanding of criminal law and U.K. legislation affecting agency activity. This includes key rules like the Regulation Investigative Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), Investigative Powers Act (IPA) and Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 (CPIA).
Other criterias include a person’s experience and competence in completing case files for complex investigations, liaising with prosecuting agencies or authorities and knowledge in the use of investigation techniques to meet operational outcomes.
The latest hiring spree follows the UK’s continued commitment towards curbing illicit crypto activities in the country. The focus on crypto assets and the industry has been augmented ever since the inception of the Digital Assets Team back in January this year.
Crypto scammers have stolen at least $287million in 2022 as per the U.K.’s reporting system for cybercrime and fraud in the country. This reinforced the country’s drive to stop further financial losses to crypto fraud.
The NCA’s crypto team has been expanding ever since then, with new job posts coming up like financial investigations managers for overseeing crypto and digital assets crime investigations from a Proceeds of Crime Act perspective and so on.
