30/2018 Bitcoins and cryptocurrencies - prevention of illegal use

The International Training Centre in Budapest hosted the CEPOL Course 30/2018 titled "Bitcoins and Cryptocurrencies – Prevention of Illegal Use” between the 22^nd May and 25^th May. Participants included 33 practitioners working in the field of Cybercrime from a total of 27 jurisdictions all over from Europe.

Among the 27 countries there were 24 Member States, 2 Candidate Country (Turkey) and 4 participants from OSCE.

The main goal of the 4-days long course was – besides to increase skills on how to look for virtual currencies (VC) in criminal investigation and how to identify the existence of a VC wallet, notably in the framework of searches. To build capacity to identify the use of virtual currencies in criminal cases, using available tools and techniques to extract intelligence from virtual currencies transactions and seize and confiscate virtual currencies – to provide a framework for experts in order to be able to directly exchange knowledge on the relevant legal frameworks of the various jurisdictions, and the different instruments and best practices utilized by them during their day-to-day activities.

With assistance from ENLETS and some foreign jurisdictions from Belgium, Finland and the Netherlands, the Hungarian organizers managed to gather a diverse staff of experts, including cyber investigators who gave presentations on their various fields of expertise.

Some quotes from participants:

“I hope there will be another edition of such training.”

“Very useful information about how to proceed in VC's investigations. Clear perspective from the investigator point of view.”

“The organisation is awesome. Thank you again”

“Perfect prepared and organized!!!”

“I was very satisfied with the complete program.”

“New connections that I now have all over Europe and also I learned a lot!”

“Most useful is that I have amazing notes and i can take home participants knowledge, their thoughts, their shared experience and i have possibility to analyse all this important and useful information, in order to be more effective in my daily job and make step forward combating against criminals. Also I have all participants contact details and in case of necessity we can contact and support to each other. I think it will be strong network against criminals.”

“Very intense, learned new possible approaches to AML-work in my FIU.”

Some quotes from experts:

The most of trainers evaluated the whole course positively.