Global Scans · Crime · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Crime is morphing away from traditional methods to more sophisticated technological approaches. A decline of traditional hierarchical criminal groups and networks will be accompanied by the expansion of a virtual criminal underground made up of individual criminal entrepreneurs. At the same time, forward-looking agencies are equipping themselves with smart technologies to outfox the criminals. Keep up to date with crime changes below.

• By facilitating easier and faster access to international assistance, it will strengthen India's efforts in combating transnational crimes. SSBCrackExams
• The California Highway Patrol will expand its presence into another Bay Area city to combat crime, weeks after a petition started by a resident urged state leaders to deploy officers to combat crime amid a local police staffing shortage. 1010 WCSI - News Talk 1010 WCSI
• The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army is already skirmishing with Kurdish forces, primarily the Syrian Democratic Forces, who are allied with Washington in the fight against Islamic State, but which Turkey views as a threat due to their links to Kurdish groups it views as terrorists. UnHerd
• Automated phishing enabled by AI will allow criminal hackers to extort victims at an alarming rate in 2025. DevX
• Despite mounting public evidence that the use of cryptocurrencies can pose a threat to U.S. homeland security, the scholarly literature on illicit uses of cryptocurrencies tends to focus mostly on the role of cryptocurrencies in transnational criminal transactions. MDPI
• The combination of organized crime and terrorism creates a pervasive threat across the Sahel and West Africa. defenceWeb
• To address the rising challenges, the Hyderabad City Police plans to implement AI-driven policing, predictive systems to pre-empt crime and optimize law enforcement, AI-driven traffic systems and targeted safety initiatives and strengthened expertise to combat digital crimes effectively. The Hindu
• The return of combatants and their associated ideological networks heightens the threat of terrorism and radicalization in Central Asia. SpecialEurasia
• The threat of terrorism in West Africa and the Sahel region is a key issue. Security Council Report
• Swedish police will observe Chinese authorities' investigation aboard a China-flagged ship in the Baltic Sea, near where two undersea data cables were damaged last month. Republic World
• With the rise of global terrorism, countries face the constant threat of attacks that can cause significant harm to innocent lives and destabilize the social fabric. EssayGPT
• Australia urged its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution if they travel to the UK due to the threat of terrorism. HuffPost UK
• Iran's smuggling of weapons to Hezbollah and Palestinian terrorist organizations poses a significant threat to Israel's security. The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
• Iran turned Hezbollah, which is perceived as its strategic arm against Israel, and the Palestinian terrorist organizations into direct threats along Israel's borders. The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
• The G7 special envoys expressed their concern about the recent terrorist attacks in Kabul and the surrounding region, warning that terrorism remains a serious threat to Afghanistan's security. Ariana News
• The expansion of global supply chains and the growing volume of international trade necessitate enhanced transportation security measures to protect against the potential risks of terrorism, smuggling, and cargo theft. ReAnIn
• Even if Israel accomplishes the goal of destroying Hamas' military and political capabilities in the Gaza Strip, it will not mean the end of the terror group. All Israel News
• The increasing radicalization among individuals returning from conflict zones, alongside persistent security crises in adjacent areas, including Afghanistan, heightens the risk of cross-border terrorism, potentially destabilising Central Asia and complicating global counterterrorism strategies. SpecialEurasia
• While domestic terrorism drives fear around security risks, the fact that the war in Ukraine has been fought so brutally and still avoided a nuclear disaster is a good sign for the energy source. Ohio Capital Journal
• The Big Four: Russia, China, Iran and North Korea will remain active, engaging in espionage operations, cyber crime and information operations aligned with their geopolitical interests. Govtech
• The Big Four actors (Russia, China, Iran, North Korea): Espionage, cyber crime and disinformation campaigns will continue to align with geopolitical interests. Govtech
• With the incoming administration in Washington expected to be more transactional while weakening international ties and cutting funding commitments, only a major terrorist attack on the US or its Western allies traceable to Afghanistan or Pakistan might again bring them to center stage. Middle East Institute

Last updated: 11 January 2025