Digital Investigator - National Digital Investigation Unit

About the job

Discover what it's like to work in a compliance role that makes an impact. Could you help us shape a stronger, fairer future? Your next career move starts here.

HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) is responsible for the department's civil and criminal investigations.

Covert Operations, Digital Exploitation (CODE) sits within FIS. Working across Law Enforcement and government, CODE provides investigative tools and covert techniques to front-line investigations and works with key partners to develop and provide access to new technology and systems to enable investigators to respond to serious and complex tax evasion and crime.

HMRC is faced with increasingly complex frauds committed by well-resourced and, often, digitally informed and aware criminal groups.

This post sits within the CODE Digital Operations command that includes the Communications Data Unit (CDU) and the National Digital Investigation Unit (NDIU). This command recognises the importance and synergy between these two technical areas.

This is an opportunity to join CODE Digital Operations during a crucial period of expansion, development of capability and impact.

The National Digital Investigation Unit (NDIU) specialise in digital problem solving, drawing upon operational experience and pragmatic application of datasets, such as but not limited to Communications Data, Open Source Intelligence, vehicle telematics, ANPR data and digital forensics (handset downloads).

The NDIU is a team of Digital Investigators, which provide ongoing and dynamic operational advice and support to Risk Intelligence Service (RIS) and FIS case teams and wider internal 'customers' such as, the Priority Criminals Unit, Internal Investigations, Protected Persons Unit and the Operational Security network to name a few.

Developing effective digital strategies is fundamental to NDIU assisting investigation teams to achieve meaningful operational outcomes.

The NDIU is a national team, the role involves regular travel with overnight stays to attend training courses or work alongside colleagues, particularly within the first two years on the team.

This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a command that enhances HMRC's response to sophisticated organised crime and serious fraud.

Our work is varied, rewarding and impactful, investigating the most harmful tax frauds and criminal groups.

Using innovative digital approaches and techniques, you will be making decisions that will help tackle fraudsters who present the highest threat to the UK Exchequer.

You will be working with like-minded people, who constantly look for opportunities to add value and share knowledge to drive investigations forward.

As a Digital Investigator you will:

• Become proficient in the application of Digital Investigation techniques, exploiting social media, closed sources and emerging communication systems, using several bespoke third-party solutions.
• Consider and create bespoke digital strategies to assist and support high priority, complex and sensitive HMRC investigations.
• Provide advice to support proactive and reactive operations, including live deployments, to identify data acquisition and exploitation opportunities. Advice ranges from sustained dedicated support over many months to short term assistance.
• Provide guidance to Senior Investigation Officers/Investigators on the use of technology in investigations, using experience and knowledge to develop and progress digital strategies, in difficult or complex investigations.
• Gather intelligence and evidence on individuals, corporates, and organised crime groups to progress and enhance criminal investigations into attacks on our tax systems.
• Utilise digital investigation skills and bespoke tools to interrogate, evaluate and interpret relevant digital data sets.
• Identify, collate and exploit data from external and internal data sources to develop the most holistic picture of an individual.
• Conduct research, including internet and social networking analysis, to an evidential standard.
• Flexibility to travel within the role. There will be a bespoke training package depending on the previous experience of the…