Organised Crime Groups involved in Fraud

Authors: Tiggey May, Dr. Bina Bhardwa

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Book Series : Crime Prevention and Security Management

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

About this book

Through analysis of data held by the National Crime Agency on organised crime groups, and in-depth analysis of qualitative interviews with convicted fraudsters and enforcement professionals, this detailed study fills a significant gap in the contemporary literature on organised crime groups involved in fraud.

Throughout the chapters, the perspective of convicted offenders and those involved in its policing are juxtaposed to show the ease of committing fraud from the perspective of offenders on the one hand, and the investigative challenges experienced by law enforcement officers on the other. May and Bhardwa’s insights shed light on offender motivations, routes into fraud and organised crime, and the nature and shape of organised crime groups and their operations. Alongside the offender perspective the law enforcement interviews provide a unique interpretation of the procedural and legislative weaknesses that appear to allow this type of offender to make considerable financial gain. The key recommendations based on empirical findings will greatly benefit those interested in understanding the links between fraud and organised crime in the UK and those seeking to improve enforcement efforts.

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Introduction

Abstract

This chapter outlines the background to the study, including why the research was conducted and the aims and methods of the research. In this chapter the authors highlight how scant our knowledge is on organised criminals involved in fraud, how little we know about pathways into fraud and individual experiences of organised criminality, and how slight our understanding is of how cases come to light, the investigative process, and the challenges faced by law enforcement professionals when investigating organised groups involved in fraud.

Tiggey May, Bina Bhardwa

Chapter 2. What Do We Know About Organised Crime and Fraud?

Abstract

This chapter examines the existing academic literature and what it tells us about organised crime and fraud, both at a national and an international level. With a traditional focus from enforcement on organised crime groups (OCGs) involved in drugs and firearms, it is argued that comparatively little is known about OCGs involved in fraud. This imbalance is reflected in the paucity of empirical research in this area, although this picture is slowly changing. This chapter explores the historically contested definitions of organised crime, outlines the definition adopted in this book, and presents views on the extent of the ‘threat’ posed by OCGs. Further, it looks at the scale of fraud in the UK and the policing response. The chapter concludes with a national overview of what the OCG mapping data, held by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the UK, tells us about economic organised fraudsters.

Tiggey May, Bina Bhardwa

Chapter 3. Routes into Organised Crime and Fraud

Abstract

Drawing on interviews with 31 convicted fraudsters, this chapter explores the complex and multifaceted routes into organised crime and fraud. For the majority of offenders, their involvement in organised crime and fraud was the result of an intentional and conscious choice. Whilst for others, their route into organised crime and fraud was through recruitment (ranging from ‘targeted’ to ‘serendipitous’) by existing organised crime groups and therefore unintentional and often the result of a constrained choice. The chapter outlines how ‘environmental opportunities’ such as criminal, social, and business circles have an important role to play in facilitating organised criminality. The chapter considers the interplay between intention (whether it was a deliberate or constrained choice) and facilitation (whether existing work or social connections facilitated routes into organised crime) whilst highlighting the role of opportunism and how the exploitation of these opportunities facilitates routes into organised criminality.

Tiggey May, Bina Bhardwa

Chapter 4. The Nature and Structure of Organised Crime Groups Involved in Fraud

Abstract

This chapter looks at the way in which organised crime groups (OCGs) organise themselves and their operations. OCGs come in a range of shapes and sizes, and their nature and form has captured much academic attention. For example, there are questions about whether OCGs are best defined by their physical structure, the criminal activities they are involved in, or the social, cultural, and historical conditions that facilitate criminality. Academic opinion is further divided between ‘those who see crimes as very well organized’ and ‘those who see crimes as intermittently or more regularly networked but not in any stable hierarchy’ (Levi 2012: 598). Our research found a variety of organisational structures, including the classic, global, chaotic, and flat or horizontal structures. Organisational form is often dependent on the number involved in the group, the type of fraud engaged in, and the scale of the operation. The chapter presents a picture of how organised fraudsters operate, their modus operandi, how ‘organised’ they are, and the networks they are involved with.

Tiggey May, Bina Bhardwa

Chapter 5. Cops and Twenty-First-Century Robbers

Abstract

This chapter provides an insight into the challenges faced by enforcement agencies when investigating organised crime groups involved in fraud, including whether and how to prioritise organised crime group fraud cases, the perception that fraud is a ‘victimless’ crime, the length and complexity of investigations, and the difficulties of working across jurisdictions. The views of enforcement professionals are juxtaposed with those of the 31 offender interviewees. The chapter provides a sombre account of the challenges faced by asset recovery teams when tracing victims’ money, money that has dispersed across bank accounts and borders within a matter of minutes. The reader is also provided with the striking comparison between the speed with which organised criminals are able to adapt their business practices and move money across jurisdictions to the world of policing, where investigations are complex, lengthy, and mainly reactive.

Tiggey May, Bina Bhardwa

Chapter 6. Concluding Thoughts

Abstract

This chapter provides a summary of the main findings of the report, highlighting the many routes into fraud, the diversity of the individuals involved in this type of criminality, the differing structures supporting the numerous organised crime groups (OCGs), and a comprehensive examination of the policing of organised criminals. The chapter emphasises that whilst rapid solutions are not on the horizon, it is important that the many agencies involved continue to tackle OCGs energetically and on several fronts. Recommendations put forward include tackling misperceptions that fraud by OCGs is victimless; improving awareness regarding the role of professional enablers and the risk factors that predict their recruitment to OCGs; encouraging enforcement professionals to apply for and enforce the full range of Policing and Organised Crime Act (POCA) Orders; assembling a more nuanced understanding of professional enablers, money launderers, and identity criminals; and finally highlighting the importance of horizon scanning.

Tiggey May, Bina Bhardwa

Backmatter

Title: Organised Crime Groups involved in Fraud
Authors: Tiggey May
Dr. Bina Bhardwa
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-69401-6
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-69400-9
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69401-6

Springer Professional

About this book

Table of Contents

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. What Do We Know About Organised Crime and Fraud?

Chapter 3. Routes into Organised Crime and Fraud

Chapter 4. The Nature and Structure of Organised Crime Groups Involved in Fraud

Chapter 5. Cops and Twenty-First-Century Robbers

Chapter 6. Concluding Thoughts

Backmatter