UK Officer Charged with Bitcoin Misappropriation
Paul chowles, a former UK National crime Agency officer, faces serious charges related to Bitcoin theft.The Crown Prosecution Service has authorized Merseyside Police to charge Chowles with 11 counts of concealing criminal property, three counts of acquiring it, adn one count of theft.
Chowles, 42, is set to appear in Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on April 25. Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, confirmed the charges. He emphasized the importance of a fair trial and warned against prejudicing the proceedings online.
The alleged theft occurred in 2017 when Bitcoin was worth about £1,200 per coin. The 50 BTC in question was then valued at £60,000. Today, the same amount would be worth over £3 million. The NCA,which combats serious crime,has not commented on the case.
This incident mirrors the case of Australian officer William Wheatley, who faced similar charges in 2019. Wheatley was accused of stealing 81.616 Bitcoin during a drug-trafficking examination.
Chowles, from Bristol, is charged under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Theft Act 1968. If convicted, he could face severe penalties.
