Crypto-related crimes up 2,000% since 2019, Scottish police say

Police Scotland says serious and organized crime groups are increasingly turning to cryptocurrency, contributing to a 2,000% rise in related cases since 2019.

Police Scotland says it has seen a roughly 2,000% increase in cryptocurrency-related criminality since 2019, as more serious and organised crime groups are “quick to adapt and utilise new methods to help obfuscate their activities.”

While it’s unclear how many cases this figure refers to, authorities suggest crypto is playing a growing role in fraud and organised crime across Scotland. In an annual 2025 report, Police Scotland made it clear it doesn’t yet have a dedicated crypto team, but says “development of capabilities outside of cybercrime is progressing.”

Officers have begun using two tracking and tracing tools, which reportedly bring them in line “with much of U.K. and leading international law enforcement.” The force is also part of the national Cryptocurrency Working Group, which looks at “approaches, training and development including designing a training pathway to include expert witness testimony,” the report reads.

The remarks come after a legal precedent in Scotland, where prosecutors used proceeds of crime laws to turn stolen cryptocurrency into physical cash. The High Court in Edinburgh approved the conversion of 23.5 Bitcoin — linked to John Ross Rennie — into £109,601. Rennie was described as the “technical brains” behind a violent robbery in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

Officials say a proposed Cyber and Fraud Command will allow for a “refresh of organisational approach and responsibilities in relation to cryptocurrency,” aiming to bring Scotland’s response closer to that of other U.K. jurisdictions with dedicated crypto teams.