Emerging Illegal Markets and the Role of Organized Crime Groups

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

Together with traditional illicit activities such as drugs, firearms or human trafficking, organized property crimes and frauds are emerging as new illegal markets, often attracting the interest of organized crime groups. Although these crimes may be less appealing, from a media perspective, than drugs or weapons, they show a profitability even higher than traditional illegal markets and a relatively low risk. This may induce criminal organizations to shift from traditional illegal activities to these more lucrative (and often underrated) markets. This panel focuses in particular on the theft and trafficking of medicines, trafficking of cultural objects, cybercrime and frauds, discussing the role criminal organizations may play in this framework at international level.

Sub Unit

• Area II. Types of Offending and Victimization / 25. Organized Crime and Corruption

Individual Presentations

• Cybercrime and the Exploitation of Emerging Illegal Markets - David Wall, Durham University

• Organized Temple Looting and International Trafficking - Simon Mackenzie, University of Glasgow; Donna Yates, University of Glasgow

• The Theft and the Trafficking of Stolen Medicines and the Role of Organized Crime - Michele Riccardi, Università Cattolica - Transcrime; Marco Dugato, Università Cattolica - Transcrime

Chair

• Michele Riccardi, Università Cattolica - Transcrime

Discussant

• Ernesto Ugo Savona, Università Cattolica - Transcrime