Sept 2022 In-Person or Zoom: Money Laundering Through Digital Currency

Speaker: Shaun Thurston - Special Agent with IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI) 

Topic: Money Laundering Through Digital Currency

Session Description: In this course, the presenter will provide an overview of how money is laundered through digital currency, using case examples and expertise gained from his work in the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) Cyber Crimes group.  Since 2014, CI Cyber Crimes has proportionately grown in both resources and results. Beginning with one Cyber Crimes Unit in the Washington, DC area, CI was able to successfully prosecute some of the first known criminal actors in this space (e.g., Liberty Reserve, Silk Road and Btc-e). These investigations set the foundation and framework for future efforts. Soon after, CI established a second Cyber Crimes Unit in the Los Angeles Field Office followed by cyber coordinators across the nation and additional support personnel to provide investigative research and analysis.

CPE: 1 CPE 

CPE credits are based on a 50-minute hour.  CPE is offered through the ACFE as well as the Accountancy Board of Ohio (sponsor number CPE.00467).  Attendees must attend 50 minutes of the meeting and answer 3 polling questions during the meeting to validate attendance. 

Learning Objectives: Promotion of improved fraud detection and deterrence and through expansion of knowledge in relation to the session's topic.

Prerequisites: None

Speaker Bio:

Shaun Thurston is currently a Special Agent with IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS CI) and has been with IRS CI since 2005.  He has worked in the Chicago, Cincinnati and Philadelphia Field Offices as an Agent and as a Supervisory Special Agent.  His previous work experience in the private sector includes Fifth Third Bank Protection where he was a fraud manager, and MasterCard International Security and Risk Management where he was responsible for fraud audits and investigations.   His previous experience in the public sector is with the New York State Attorney General’s Organized Crime Division.  He holds a BS in Economic Crime Investigation from Utica University (formerly Utica College of Syracuse University) and MS in Economic Crime Management from Utica University (formerly Utica College).  He holds certifications from the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators (IAFCI) as a certified financial crime investigator (CFCI) and the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS) as a certified forensic computer examiner (CFCE).  He is the past president and vice president of the Ohio Chapter of the IAFCI.  He also holds Chainalysis Reactor Certification for tracking Bitcoin transactions.  His case experience includes narcotics, child pornography, homicide, political corruption, credit/debit card fraud, counterfeiting, money laundering, and tax violations.

Active, full-time students majoring in criminal justice, law, or business degrees may attend meetings for free. Email swohacfe@gmail.com to register.