Australian Police Officer Accused of Stealing Bitcoin During Investigation
An Australian cybercrime police officer has been accused of stealing 81.616 Bitcoin during a steroid trafficking investigation in Melbourne. William Wheatley, the policeman in question, allegedly pocketed a Trezor hardware wallet containing the Bitcoins, then worth about $450,000. In addition, Wheatley faces two more charges of dealing with property suspected to be the proceeds of crime, and using information to dishonestly benefit him.
Charges and Investigations
The suspected cop was first charged in December 2022 by the former Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity. According to a local report, Wheatley assisted a raid in 2019, which was a part of Operation Viridian. Australian Cyber Crime Squad Detective Sergeant Deon Achtypis noted that the raid uncovered large quantities of “steroid-type” substances, and a Trezor crypto wallet.
After three weeks, the investigators received permission from a magistrate to access the wallet. On February 14, the team discovered the wallet to be empty on January 29. The cybercrime unit then tracked the currency and found an IP address associated with the Australian Federal Police headquarters.
Investigation and Denial
The law commission launched an investigation on five cybercrime officers suspected to be involved in the wallet draining. Investigators then traced Wheatley with evidence of withdrawals made to his bank account between 2019 and September 2022. The officer appeared before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and denied all the accusations against him. He pleaded not guilty and claimed that the case against him is “circumstantial.”
The County Court has scheduled the next hearing on the case in March.
Ian is a cryptocurrency enthusiast blending humor with professionalism. With an engineering background and a storyteller's heart, he simplifies the blockchain world with sharp analysis and a touch of wit. At Cryptowire, he brings his unique perspective to make digital financial innovation accessible to all.
