Criminal Markets

Child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) and online CSEA (OCSEA) lurk in some of the darkest corners of the criminal universe. Trends in South East Asia suggest that besides gratification-driven individual offenders, an ever-growing number of organized criminals are sexually exploiting children for profit. 

Santos Cerdán’s alleged criminal activities put Pedro Sánchez’s government under pressure to call fresh elections

President Trump has said anti-corruption law is crippling American businesses. Since taking office, his administration has reduced the number of investigators, killed some cases and changed the rules.

The Israeli court’s decision to cancel this week’s hearing in the long-running trial came after Donald Trump said the case should be thrown out

Latin America and the Caribbean rank among the regions with the highest rates of criminal activity worldwide, marked by a strong presence of illicit markets and limited institutional capacity to combat them.

Tonga’s Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to proceed with its judicial review against the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) and its Board of Directors, marking a historic first for the fledgling agency. The case, which alleges misfeasance in public office and breaches of fiduciary duty, has been hailed […]

When PNG's anti-corruption watchdog was established two years ago, there were high hopes it would mark a turning point but now the Australian and New Zealand bosses have been suspended.

From money laundering to fraud, financial crime acts as a drain on the economy, totaling an incredible $3.1 trillion.

Ghana is one of the world’s leading gold producers, and artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) plays a crucial role in the country’s economy and the livelihoods of its people. Many miners turn to gold extraction due to limited alternative livelihoods and the relatively high incomes it offers compared to agriculture or informal work. However, much of this activity remains unlicensed and informal, making it vulnerable to criminal exploitation and environmental degradation. 

More than 90% of firearms in Türkiye are unlicensed. In Greece, over half of all weapons are unregistered. And in Bulgaria, Turkish-manufactured gas guns transit legally before being converted into lethal weapons in EU countries.

In the last fifteen years, there has been a concerning increase in illegal wildlife trade (IWT) on the internet. However, the lack of comprehensive data about the scale of this market, its dynamics, operations, and global effects presents a significant challenge in addressing this crime. 

The White House wants to slash the $85 million budget to $0 for the inspector general’s office that focuses on investigating fraud in foreign aid.

Four men, including a government contracting officer for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and three owners and presidents of companies, have pleaded guilty for their roles in a decade-long bribery scheme involving at least 14 prime contracts worth over $550 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars. 

LILONGWE — In 2021, Malawian authorities found Lin Yunhua and 14 other members of an international trafficking syndicate in possession of pangolin scales, rhino horns, and elephant and hippo ivory. Lin, a Chinese national, was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Since his sentencing, Lin has been linked with several corrupt efforts to avoid the […]

Michael J. Madigan, the longtime titan of Illinois politics and the nation’s longest-serving state legislative leader, was sentenced on June 13, 2025, to seven…

Asia In Brief: PLUS: APNIC completes re-org; India cuts costs for chipmakers; Infosys tax probe ends; and more

Police have arrested a 45-year-old man from Helmond suspected of registering luxury vehicles in his name to conceal the true owners from authorities, enabling criminals to continue illegal activities, according to NOS.

A San Gabriel Valley woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to managing a network of money launderers who collectively moved more than $11 million in funds stolen from elderly victims across the country. Cynthia Song, 43, of Arcadia pleaded guilty in downtown Los Angeles to one federal count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, a felony carrying […]

Country's workforce stands at 67 million: FBR chiefLangrial says top 1% household evade Rs1,233bn taxes.Top 5% evade Rs1,611bn; remaining 95% elude Rs140bn.ISLAMABAD: Amid government's efforts to increase the tax revenue

The synthetic opioid crisis has reshaped the landscape of organized crime, public health, and security across North America. Drawing on the expert dialogue held in April 2025, this report explores cross-border dynamics, policy gaps, and recommendations to strengthen regional responses. It presents a timely and evidence-based overview of the evolving fentanyl market in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

The European Anti-Fraud Office organised the inaugural meeting of the Waste Shipment Enforcement Group on 22-23 May in Warsaw, Poland. The event brought together over 50 stakeholders from across the EU and beyond in a joint effort to thwart the growing threat of illicit trade of waste.

Authorities ask lawmaking body to waive the accused’s immunity so that they can be investigated under the two-month probe.

Retired four-star Adm. Robert P. Burke, served as the second-highest ranking officer in the U.S. Navy, was convicted of bribery.