As financial technology evolves, so too do the tactics of illicit enterprises. This session explores how cryptocurrency has become a critical enabler in the modern human trafficking ecosystem—fueling recruitment, concealment, and profit flows. Attendees will gain insight into the operational models traffickers now employ, how crypto facilitates anonymous transactions across borders, and the investigative red flags that may indicate trafficking-related activity. Designed for fraud examiners, risk professionals, and law enforcement liaisons, this session sheds light on one of today’s most urgent intersections of financial crime and human exploitation.
For over 16 years, Neil Giles has worked at the forefront of counter-human trafficking efforts, shaping intelligence-led prevention and enforcement strategies that have transformed responses to modern slavery worldwide.
With an extensive background in law enforcement, Neil has served with New Scotland Yard, Regional and National Crime Squads, the National Criminal Intelligence Service, and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). He has led major international operations against organised crime, including his role as the UK Law Enforcement Attaché to North America, based at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.
At SOCA (now the National Crime Agency), Neil led the agency’s global human intelligence development on organised crime, with operational experience in Afghanistan, Colombia, and West Africa. He spearheaded the UK’s cross-government programme to prevent cocaine trafficking and chaired Europol’s multinational counter-cocaine initiative. He latterly also served as COO at UK Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP).
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