A British law enforcement officer swiped 50 Bitcoin during a 2017 investigation, watching its value soar from a modest £60,000 to a staggering £3.26 million. Paul Chowles, an officer with the National Crime Agency, now faces 15 charges for his alleged digital heist. Talk about hitting the jackpot—illegally, of course.
The theft occurred while Chowles was investigating online organized crime. Ironic. The very person hunting down digital criminals apparently couldn’t resist becoming one himself. Merseyside Police have authorized charges against him after what was likely an internal audit that uncovered the missing crypto.
Chowles faces a legal nightmare: 11 counts of concealing, disguising, or converting criminal property, three counts of acquiring, using, or possessing criminal property, and one count of theft. That’s quite the rap sheet for someone who wore a badge. His court appearance is scheduled for April 25, 2025. He’ll have plenty of time to contemplate his choices.
Former law enforcer now faces 15 charges—ironic how quickly the hunter became the hunted.
The timing of the theft couldn’t have been more fortuitous for Chowles—and more damaging for the NCA. He allegedly pinched the Bitcoin just before the 2017 bull run. The value multiplied 54 times over. Not a bad return. Except for the whole “going to prison” part.
This case exposes serious vulnerabilities in how law enforcement handles seized digital assets. The Bank of England is actively exploring regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrency to prevent similar incidents. Without smart contracts to automatically enforce security protocols, seized crypto assets remain vulnerable to insider theft. The NCA received expanded crypto-related powers just this year, including authority to seize, freeze, and destroy criminal crypto assets. Too little, too late? This incident has significantly contributed to the erosion of public trust in law enforcement agencies handling digital assets.
The Criminal Prosecution Service has warned the public against commentary that might jeopardize a fair trial. Criminal proceedings are active. The case will certainly prompt scrutiny of the NCA’s asset management protocols.
Trust in law enforcement takes another hit. The incident highlights the challenges of securing digital assets and may fuel calls for stricter cryptocurrency regulations. One thing’s clear: someone should have been watching the watchmen—especially when they’re handling millions in digital gold.
