"Where $8 billion in bitcoins?» The Bulgarian government was demanded to report for the seized cryptocurrency – Bits Media

The government of Bulgaria demanded a report for the withdrawn cryptocurrency, The government of Bulgaria demanded a report for the withdrawn cryptocurrency!The government of Bulgaria demanded a report for the withdrawn cryptocurrency 213 519 The government of Bulgaria demanded a report for the withdrawn cryptocurrency, confiscated by the police almost five years ago.

IT specialist Ivaylo Mirchev spoke about the request on his Facebook. Letter about missing bitcoins from parliamentarian sent to officials by email. We're talking about cryptocurrency, seized by law enforcement agencies in 2017 year:

“There is some confusion regarding the confiscated bitcoins worth about 20 billion leva. My goal is to find out the location of the virtual currency, seized during Operation SHIPMENT/VIRUS. Who has (had) access to it? What is the role of the prosecutor's office in this?? And most importantly, Where is the money?»

The value of the seized 213,519 bitcoins by January 2022 year grew to $8 billion, states the parliamentarian. When Bulgarian law enforcement agencies confiscated cryptocurrency from a criminal group that dealt in computer viruses and illegal imports, the amount in fiat money was $500 million. At least that’s what was said in the press release following the results of Operation SHIPMENT/VIRUS in 2017.

“Was any evidence destroyed and if so, then in what order? Why are Bitcoins currently available as evidence in a case?, and are they available at all??"- asks Mirchev.

The MP gave the Cabinet of Ministers seven days to respond. Confusion, which the parliamentarian is talking about, related to, that shortly after the confiscation of crypto assets, the Bulgarian government suddenly became
one of the world's largest Bitcoin holders.

In the same 2017 Bulgarian Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov said, that the confiscated bitcoin was sold in batches, minimizing the impact on the cryptocurrency market.

IN 2020 more than 1 000 illegally connected ASIC miners. IN 2019 year, the Bulgarian Tax Service checked cryptocurrency exchanges and their clients for compliance with tax and social security legislation. IN 2018 year, Bulgarian police arrested three suspects in the theft of cryptocurrencies on $5 million.