The IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) has joined forces with international counterparts to provide advanced training to Ukrainian law enforcement officers, a crucial step in the fight against cybercrime and the enhancement of global security.
The training's primary focus is on the complexities of cryptocurrency and blockchain tracking. Building upon a successful web-based training for Ukrainian law enforcement conducted in May, the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) collaborated with the Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service (FIOD) and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Together, they conducted a second training session from September 18 to 21, with the aim of helping nearly 40 Ukrainian law enforcement officers gain a better understanding of cryptocurrency and blockchain tracking.
This online training equips Ukrainian law enforcement with tools to combat money laundering, analyze fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions, and enhance their skills in blockchain forensic investigations. According to an official press release, CI, FIOD, and HMRC have partnered with blockchain analytics firms CipherTrace and BlockTrace to deliver this training.
The training program was attended by personnel from various Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, including the Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine, the Economic Security Service of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Anti-Corruption Service of Ukraine, and the State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine.
Upon successful completion of the training and passing the exam, participants are certified as Cryptocurrency Tracking Certified Examiners (CTCE).
In May 2023, CI, in collaboration with its partners and blockchain intelligence platform Chainalysis, delivered the first round of cyber training to Ukrainian law enforcement. The primary objective is to focus on identifying and disrupting financial networks used by individuals attempting to conceal assets in violation of sanctions.
One year after the invasion of Ukraine, Russian military fundraising groups have managed to raise millions of dollars in cryptocurrency despite US and international sanctions. Initially, it was estimated that Russian military procurement and disinformation groups had garnered nearly $4.2 million in revenue, significantly less than Ukraine's $212 million during the same period. However, recent research from blockchain analytics firm Elliptic suggests that Russia has accumulated as much as $20 million in cryptocurrencies.
Remarkably, more than half of these funds originated from US-sanctioned entities, with over 80% of the funds passing through centralized cryptocurrency exchanges. These entities have also leveraged decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, NFT services, and decentralized exchanges. Some individuals and groups have even accepted cryptocurrencies for fundraising and incentives, and have promoted NFT projects to support the war effort.
