USPS Office of Inspector General

The Postal Inspection Service supports and protects the Postal Service, its employees, infrastructure, and customers by enforcing federal laws that defend the mail system from illegal or dangerous use.

Cryptocurrency or virtual currency, such as Bitcoin, is a decentralized, network-based medium of exchange. It can be the preferred medium of exchange used by criminals to conduct illicit activities like buying illegal goods, laundering money, scamming victims, and ransomware. In an effort to prevent these types of crimes, the Postal Inspection Service may use cryptocurrency, while undercover, to expose criminal activity and seize this currency as a result of their investigations.

We plan to evaluate the effectiveness of the Postal Inspection Service’s policies and procedures for managing cryptocurrency. 

If you work for a law enforcement agency and have experience using cryptocurrency, please answer the following questions.

• What practices or guidelines do other law enforcement agencies follow for acquiring, managing, and seizing cryptocurrency while investigating criminal or illicit activities? 

• What risks have you encountered while using cryptocurrency?     

• What kind of training did you receive prior to using cryptocurrency for investigative purposes?

• What unique challenges have you encountered while seizing cryptocurrency during an investigation?