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Moldova's Crypto Crimes Investigators: Skill Up

· 3 min read
Javier Morales
Fraud Risk Analyst

Training Course Held in Chisinau, Moldova​

A total of 23 Moldovan supervisory and law enforcement representatives completed a week-long training course in Chisinau focusing on the identification and investigation of financial crimes involving cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets. The training was organized by the OSCE Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

  • Vera Strobachova-Budway, Acting Senior Economic Officer at OCEEA, highlighted the need for Moldovan public officials to acquire the necessary skills to address the rising use of cryptocurrencies in money-laundering crimes.
  • The training marked the second time Moldovan authorities received instruction on investigating virtual asset-related financial crimes from the OSCE.
  • This initiative is in line with the OSCE's ongoing commitment to support Moldova in combating money laundering through virtual assets and cryptocurrencies.
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Advanced Instruction and Practical Tools​

The five-day training course covered advanced techniques and practical tools designed to assist investigations into financial crimes involving virtual assets:

  1. Advanced tracing of criminal transactions on various blockchains.
  2. Case studies and best practices.
  3. Familiarization with specialized analytics software.

Financed by OSCE Member States​

The training was part of an OSCE-led extra-budgetary project titled "Innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks of virtual assets." The project, financed by the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Romania, and Poland, aims to enhance the capacity of national authorities in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine to manage the criminal risks associated with virtual assets and cryptocurrencies through the application of analytical tracing software.

Trainees Engage in Advanced Tracing Techniques

The training provided participants with techniques to trace criminal transactions on various blockchains. This capability is crucial in investigating financial crimes tied to cryptocurrencies.

Case Studies and Best Practices

The training included case studies from past investigations and best practices to guide participants as they apply these skills in their own work.

Vera Strobachova-Budway: Highlighting the Importance of Understanding Cryptocurrencies​

Vera Strobachova-Budway, Acting Senior Economic Officer at OCEEA, emphasized the significance of understanding, regulating, and effectively managing virtual assets like cryptocurrencies to maintain Moldova's economic stability and security.

Conclusion

The successful completion of the week-long training course has provided Moldovan supervisory and law enforcement representatives with the skills needed to investigate financial crimes involving cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets. This initiative is crucial in the ongoing efforts to combat money laundering and ensure Moldova's economic security.