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Mobsters now overlap with cybercrime gangs and use AI for evil, Europol warns

Mobsters now overlap with cybercrime gangs and use AI for evil, Europol warns

  • 24.03.2025 05:43
  • theregister.com
  • Keywords: AI

Europol warns organized crime networks are increasingly using AI and digital platforms, evolving into tech-driven enterprises that collaborate with hybrid threat actors to enhance their criminal activities.

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Context

Business Insights and Market Implications

  • Rapid Adoption of AI by Organized Crime:

    • Criminal networks are leveraging AI to automate tasks, scale operations, and evade law enforcement.
    • The accessibility, adaptability, and sophistication of AI make it a powerful tool for criminal activities.

  • Digital Transformation in Crime:

    • Traditional crimes like human smuggling and drug trafficking now have significant digital components.
    • The internet has become the primary platform for organized crime, with data emerging as the "new currency of power."

  • Global Expansion and Influence:

    • Criminal networks are exploiting digital platforms, illicit financial flows, and geopolitical instability to expand their influence globally.
    • This growth poses a direct threat to the European Union’s institutions and social fabric.

  • Cooperation Between Criminal and Hybrid Threat Actors:

    • Organized crime groups are increasingly collaborating with state-aligned entities for mutual benefit.
    • These partnerships provide criminals access to cutting-edge tools, potentially enhancing their capabilities in future operations.

  • Market Implications:

    • Cybersecurity Demand: The rise of AI-driven cybercrime highlights the need for advanced cybersecurity solutions, creating opportunities for businesses in this sector.
    • Tech Innovation: Companies specializing in AI and digital platforms may face increased scrutiny but could also benefit from innovations in detection and prevention tools.
    • Regulatory Focus: Heightened regulatory attention on illicit financial flows and data exploitation may drive new compliance requirements and market responses.
    • International Law Enforcement Collaboration: The global nature of these threats emphasizes the need for stronger international cooperation, potentially creating opportunities for businesses offering collaboration tools or consulting services in this space.

  • Long-Term Effects:

    • The integration of AI into criminal activities could lead to more sophisticated and harder-to-detect crimes.
    • Businesses must anticipate prolonged challenges in safeguarding data and infrastructure against evolving threats.