Armenian law enforcement agencies recently underwent training on crypto-asset investigations, facilitated by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The three-day training, held in Yerevan, involved 27 representatives from various agencies, focusing on fundamental techniques and practical tools for effective investigations into crypto-related crimes.
Participants learned methods for tracing criminal transactions across diverse blockchain networks, exchanged good practices, and gained insights into specialized analytics software and open-source tools relevant to the field. This initiative aims to strengthen Armenia’s domestic law enforcement capabilities, particularly in investigating and tracing virtual assets.
Funded by several countries, including Germany, Italy, and the United States, the training is part of an OSCE-led project to assist participating states in developing national capacities to mitigate criminal risks associated with virtual assets and cryptocurrencies.
This effort aligns with global trends, as highlighted by India’s training of law enforcement personnel in cryptocurrency forensics and investigation. The importance of such training is underscored by a survey revealing that a majority of law enforcement professionals lack adequate skills and technology to effectively combat crypto-related crimes.
Conclusively, these training initiatives play a vital role in enhancing the ability of law enforcement agencies to navigate the complexities of crypto investigations, contributing to global efforts to combat financial crimes in the digital age.
