Misuse of Darknet and cryptocurrencies for corruption and financial crimes focus of OSCE discussion in Vienna

A specialized workshop on combating misuse of Darknet and cryptocurrencies for corruption and financial crimes, organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),  was held on 21 and 22 June 2018 in Vienna.

Senior level officials of the Department of Financial Investigations attended the workshop aimed at enhancing the technical skills of participants in investigating economic crimes that use Darknet and cryptocurrencies.

“Modern technologies allow fast and efficient use of economic and transactions aimed at enhancing financial operations worldwide,” said Andrei Muntean, Senior Economic Adviser at the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities

The participants discussed the different patterns of cryptocurrencies use, as well as mechanisms to investigate corruption crimes in Darknet and cryptocurrencies. Workshop participants also discussed experiences and best practices of Austria and other EU countries in countering misuse of cryptocurrencies.

Criminals also learn the techniques of cyber operations, Muntean pointed out. “Relevant government agencies must be equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities to understand, investigate and prevent financial crimes that use cyber technologies.  Our specialized workshop aims at achieving these goals.”

The workshop is a continuation of the discussion on combating corruption and financial crimes, organized in partnership with the Department of Financial Investigations of the State Control Committee of Belarus last year in Minsk.