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Organized Crime

Transnational organized crime is considered as one of the major threats to human security, impeding the social, economic, political and cultural development of societies worldwide. It is a multi-faceted phenomenon and has manifested itself in different activities, among others, drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings; trafficking in firearms; smuggling of migrants; money laundering; etc. In particular drug trafficking is one of the main activities of organized crime groups, generating enormous profits. UNODC works closely with Governments, international organizations and civil society to strengthen cooperation to counter the pervasive influence of organized crime and drug trafficking.

The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime is the main international instrument to counter organized crime.

As globalization has expanded international trade, so the range of organized crime activities has broadened and diversified. The traditional hierarchical forms of organized crime groups have diminished; replaced with loose networks who work together in order to exploit new market opportunities.

For example organized crime groups involved in drug trafficking are commonly engaged in smuggling of other illegal goods. The links between drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime calls for a more integrated approach to address this nexus. The signing of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime in 2000 was a historic step forward in countering this threat.


Identity-related crime

In a world where there is increased reliance on identification information in both the public and private sectors, our globalized and computerized societies are vulnerable to identity-related crime.

Our identities are increasingly defined not only by who we are, but by a series of numbers and information that is stored as a unique data set. This information is used for banking, shopping, travelling, or collecting social assistance. Increasingly it includes biometrics and DNA profiles. In the wrong hands, this information is abused to launder money, commit fraud, and enable illicit activity and travel (including terrorism, organized crime, human trafficking, and illegal migration).


Kidnapping and organized crime

The increasing involvement of organized crime groups in kidnapping for ransom has raised serious concern to the international community. In the most severely affected countries, several hundred kidnappings are conducted each year by organized crime groups. These crimes are taking place in the country you live!

Survey results concerning International cooperation
in the prevention and elimination of kidnapping.

Replies were received from the following countries:

Argentina, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Oman, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, United States of America and Zimbabwe.



"All responding States indicated either that their domestic legal system made provision for the specific criminal offence of kidnapping or for an equivalent, such as the deprivation of liberty, the restriction of personal freedom, false or wrongful imprisonment and/or abduction. Four common elements of the crime were generally identified:"

The illegal seizing, carrying off or deprivation of liberty of
an individual without consent.

The use of violence, the threat of violence and/or fraud
and deception in the commission of the offense.

The holding of the victim in a place that could not be
found.

The specific objective of economic or financial gain
and/or political or other influence, including through
the practice of extortion.



"All States reported that the crime of kidnapping was regarded as a serious offence. In a number of cases, penal or criminal codes referred to particular circumstances and actions that might take place during the course of a kidnapping or equivalent offence that were regarded as aggravating, with the result that the stipulated punishment was increased, including circumstances where:"

The kidnappers acquired or planned to acquire profit or
ransom

The perpetrator(s) were armed or used force;

The perpetrators misrepresented that they were a
state authority

The kidnapping occurred in a public place or followed
an assault against a private or public mechanical mode
of transportation, such as a car, ship or aero plane

The kidnapping was aimed at acquiring organs for
transplantation

A witness in court proceedings

Kidnapped because of his or her activities in the
private sector

Targeted because of his or her race, nationality,
political conviction, religion or lack of religious faith


Victims

A stipulated time period during which the victim had been held captive elapsed, varying from 48 hours to one month.

Death or injury resulted, including in some jurisdictions also the threat of death or injury.

The victim was treated badly, tortured or dealt with in a particularly cruel manner; The victim(s) were sexually exploited.

Psychological damage or harm was caused; the victim(s) were kept in custody as being insane or mentally deficient.

Information source: http://www.unodc.org/unodc