When opportunity knocks: mobilizing capabilities on serious organized economic crime. Issue 5 (3rd July 2020) - Murray, Kenneth
ABSTRACT: This paper is primarily concerned with organized crime structures and how they adapt and modify to take advantage of fraud opportunities. It is illustrated with case studies which show a growing capability within UK organized crime to pool and deploy criminal monies in legitimate markets. The theme and purpose of the paper is to raise awareness of this in a way that encourages collaborative and strategic responses from law enforcement and relevant institutions, including academia. IMPACT: The accumulation of criminal funds under the guise of legitimate funds is not something that should be tolerated and accepted as a necessary evil of the modern world. Markets and economies are, however, increasingly vulnerable to the corrosive and corruptive effects of serious organized crime. Using real-life case studies, this paper explains why a raised awareness of societal and professional attitudes is required to more effectively tackle the problem of serious organized economic crime and how the problem needs to be prioritized as a national strategic challenge. The paper will have value to law enforcement and policy- and law-makers worldwide.