The Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General called on the FBI to implement a better strategy for its dark web investigations and digital currency-related activities. The audit found that the Federal Bureau of Investigation doesn’t have an agency-wide dark web strategy. Instead, it relies on individual units within the agency to execute its own operational strategies. Currently, the federal agency has three units that focus primarily on dark web activities. According to the OIG, Bitcoin casino also indulges in money laundering, and the FBI needs to change its approach.
The Inspector-General recommended a coordinated approach.
The FBI has three units that focus primarily on dark web activities. These are the Child Exploitation Operational Unit, the Major Cyber Crimes Unit and the Investigative Unit. The three units have failed to maintain comprehensive dark web strategies, complete with performance measures such as metrics, targets, and milestones. The OIG recommended a coordinated FBI-wide dark web approach that would ensure clarity on each operational unit’s investigative responsibilities. The new method would lead to cost-effective and efficient approaches to investigative tools development and acquisition while providing “strategic continuity during periods of turnover.
FBI also needs to overhaul its approach for crypto-related crimes.
The OIG, which is currently led by Michael Horowitz, noted, “additionally, the FBI should complete an FBI-wide cryptocurrency support strategy in concert with its development of an FBI-wide dark web approach. Moreover, the investigation agency should ensure proper entry of dark web investigative data into the Department’s existing investigation deconfliction system.” The OIG’s audit had uncovered that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has two components that provide operational support via the separate ‘virtual currency teams.’ The DoJ’s Assets Forfeiture Fund jointly funds them. The FBI has also uncovered this concern and is reportedly evaluating the best way forward for its crypto teams.
