Criminal Entrepreneurship

Organised crime activities have received increased attention throughout the world in recent years. Drug importation and trafficking, fraud (including fraud against the revenue, identity fraud, credit card fraud and maritime fraud), money laundering and people smuggling are all examples of criminal activities that are diverting billions of dollars from legitimate businesses and into the hands of criminal enterprises. The growth of these phenomena has accompanied the growth of international business, with criminals using many of the mechanisms that allow for increased trade to further their aims. All of these activities share one commonality, they are organised and they often rely on some form of official corruption to succeed. Law enforcement officials wishing to counter these activities need to understand the criminal organisations, how they arise, organise and operate. An understanding of criminal entrepreneurship is needed. This book seeks to explore and explain organised crime from a theoretical as well as practical perspective, drawing on international experience and scholarship.