scholarly journals A Policy-oriented Agent-based Model of Recruitment into Organized Crime

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gian Maria Campedelli ◽  
Francesco Calderoni ◽  
Mario Paolucci ◽  
Tommaso Comunale ◽  
Daniele Vilone ◽  
...  

Criminal organizations exploit their presence on territories and local communities to recruit new workforce in order to carry out their criminal activities and business. The ability to attract individuals is crucial for maintaining power and control over the territories in which these groups are settled. This study proposes the formalization, development and analysis of an agent-based model (ABM) that simulates a neighborhood of Palermo (Sicily) with the aim to understand the pathways that lead individuals to recruitment into organized crime groups (OCGs). Using empirical data on social, economic and criminal conditions of the area under analysis, we use a multi-layer network approach to simulate this scenario. As the final goal, we test different policies to counter recruitment into OCGs. These scenarios are based on two different dimensions of prevention and intervention: (i) primary and secondary socialization and (ii) law enforcement targeting strategies.

Author(s):  
Erlan Bakiev

AbstractOrganized crime (OC) groups in Kyrgyzstan have reached a level where they are competing with governmental authorities and institutions. Leaders of OC groups can assign members of their groups into law enforcement positions and parliament. It is safe to claim that the absence of rule of law and legal gaps encourage organized crime groups to flourish. From an economic point of view, privatization and capitalization of the economic system in the process of democratization have been in the interest and favor of the development of criminal organizations. Organized crime gangs can easily fill their chests by benefiting from the legal gaps. For instance, all the jewelry store owners at the major markets in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan pay fees to an OC gang for their safety and security. Small business owners have been taken under control by organized crime to resolve economic disputes or just because they are in their area of control. Moreover, gangs and groups operating in the South Kyrgyzstan, as well as in Talas and Bishkek, deal with drug trafficking. The cultural aspect of this issue focuses on the importance of the clan ties and network connections in Kyrgyzstan and its use by organized crime. The networking used by the OC also includes utilization of the Internet and social media, consequently it became difficult to counter them during the process of globalization and the whole of society being integrated with the internet and social media, the fight against organized crime has become more difficult. Challenging existing socio-cultural structures, to increase law enforcement and combat clan-based subculture and informal law practices, such as the “thieves” “laws” and “brotherhood hierarchies” of organized crime, have been an almost impossible endeavor over the past 30 years. Consequently, breaking the network of OC and destroying its nationwide functions is a challenge, not only in Kyrgyzstan but in many post-soviet countries.


Author(s):  
Walter R. Harper ◽  
Douglas H. Harris

Link analysis procedures were developed and evaluated to aid law-enforcement agencies integrate collected information and develop hypotheses leading to the prevention and control of organized crime. The procedures were designed to portray the relationships among suspected criminals, to determine the structure of criminal organizations, and to identify the nature of suspected criminal activities. An experiment was conducted in which 29 teams of law enforcement intelligence analysts completed link analyses from information contained in identical data bases. The results compared favorably with criterion solutions prepared earlier. Subsequent field applications of link analysis by trained law enforcement officers confirmed the utility and potential value of these procedures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 651-661
Author(s):  
Todd Hataley

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the link between trade-based money laundering and organized crime. Trade-based money laundering (TBML) has emerged as the newest and possibly most complex method used by organized crime and white-collar crime groups for illegally laundering money in the international financial system. Using legitimate global trade streams, criminal organizations are able to transfer billions of dollars annually between jurisdictions without having to adhere to state-level currency regulations. Design/methodology/approach Using a rational approach to understanding the behavior of criminal organizations, it is argued that TBML will continue to grow as a preferred methodology for laundering money internationally. As criminal organizations continue to be displaced from the more traditional methods of money laundering, they will look for and find TBML as a viable alternative for moving money between different jurisdictions. Findings As the methodology becomes more developed, the skill set will transfer to an increasing number of organized crime groups and be incorporated as a mainstream method for laundering and moving money. Practical implications To stay current with contemporary money laundering schemes, law enforcement agencies will have to train their investigators to spot, investigate and collect requisite evidence for successful prosecution and disruption of TBML offences. Moreover, in the absence of a global regime for sharing trade and customs information, legislators and law enforcement agencies will have to consider how to best expedite the sharing of trade and customs information. Originality/value This is the only study to address TBML as an emerging money laundering technique and the transfer of the skill between organized crime groups. It further details the skills that police investigators needs to develop to successfully combat TBML.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 2091-2100
Author(s):  
Venelin Terziev ◽  
Hristo Bonev

This article outlines the three main prostitution organization types as well as hierarchical structures in criminal organizations dealing with human trafficking, prostitution and sexual exploitation. Several major categories of personages are directly involved in organized crime groups. The main indicators for assessing the prostitution prevention are defined and the principles for system management and management are justified. The three factors of prostitution management - psychological, social and financial - are outlined. An evaluation of the prostitution market has been carried out and the functions of the domestic and external markets for paid sex are described. The data provided gives us a reason to assume that the consumption of sexual services is increasing.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reynald Lastra ◽  
Peter Bell ◽  
Christine Bond

With the continual rise of gambling methods there is a need to better understand sports betting-motivated corruption in the Australian context. This literature review highlights seven predominant themes: the Australian gambling culture, betting opportunities available, the threat of sports betting to the integrity of sport, corruption in sport, involvement of transnational organized crime groups in sports corruption, the theoretical perspectives used in sports corruption research, and anti-corruption strategies which are important in the prevention and law enforcement of this criminal behavior. The review identifies significant gaps in existing knowledge surrounding sports betting-motivated corruption, highlighting the need for further research in this area.Keywords: corruption, sports betting, gambling, law enforcement, sports integrity


2020 ◽  
pp. 147737082090458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daan P. van Uhm ◽  
Rick C.C. Nijman

The rising global scarcity of natural resources increasingly attracts transnational criminal organizations. Organized crime syndicates diversify into the lucrative business of tropical timber, endangered species, and natural minerals, alongside their traditional activities. The developing interconnectedness between environmental crime and other serious crimes shows that traditional lines of separation are no longer appropriate for understanding and dealing with the increasing complexities of organized crime. Therefore, this article aims to analyse the nexus between environmental crime and other serious crimes through cluster analyses to identify subtypes of organized crime groups that have diversified into the illegal trade in natural resources. The two-step cluster algorithm found a cluster solution with three distinct clusters of subtypes of criminal groups that diversified into the illegal trade in natural resources in various ways: first, the Green Organized Crime cluster, with a high degree of diversification and domination; second, the Green Opportunistic Crime cluster, with flexible and fluid groups that partially diversify their criminal activities; and, third, the low-level diversifiers of the Green Camouflaged Crime cluster, shadowing their illegal businesses with legitimate companies. The three clusters can be related to specific stages within the environmental crime continuum, albeit with nuances.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e0005184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uffe Christian Braae ◽  
Brecht Devleesschauwer ◽  
Sarah Gabriël ◽  
Pierre Dorny ◽  
Niko Speybroeck ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 13
Author(s):  
Davina Shanti

Organized crime is often associated with traditional criminal groups, such as the mafia or outlaw motorcycle gangs; however, new research suggests that cybercrime is emerging as a new branch of organized crime. This paper is focused on the changing nature of organized crime and the factors that influence this shift, particularly in the online space. It will address the question: Can the law identify cybercrime as organized crime? The results of this paper are informed by an in-depth analysis of peer-reviewed articles from Canada, the United States (US), and Europe. This paper concludes that cybercrime groups are structured and operate similarly to traditional organized crime groups and should, therefore, be classified as a part of traditional organized crime; however, cybercrime groups are capable of conducting illicit activities that surpass those typically associated with traditional organized crime. This shift suggests that these groups may represent a larger threat creating a new challenge for law enforcement agencies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 2119-2132
Author(s):  
Venelin Terziev ◽  
Hristo Bonev

The article analyzes the women sexual exploitation in order to obtain the benefits and financial resources that feed organized crime groups. The prevention effectiveness is determined by the quality of risk assessment, the definition of critical sites and activities, the purposefulness and consistency of the measures implementation. The dynamics and the essence of the modern threats to people security determine the preventive activity and the preparation for adequate response in situations by the state authorities. The criterion for defining them is the responsibility to protect lives and health of many citizens, and to prevent accidents associated with risks to their normal existence. Pre-preparedness for prevention provides the necessary resources and stable partner organizations to effectively support the law enforcement structures.


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