Illicit markets

Counterfeit revolution: The transformation of counterfeit in the context of the global rise of authoritarianism

Despite the ongoing research on trends and the impact of counterfeiting, little is empirically known about how counterfeit is transformed post 9/11 in the context of the global rise of authoritarianism and the resulting dominance of state-linked networks in organised crime. This study analyses how authoritarianism revolutionises counterfeiting, funnelling industrialscale counterfeits to unregulated markets.

The empirical study is conducted in one of the largest bazaar markets in South Asia: The Manning market in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The results highlight how the state networks seize the monopoly of counterfeit trade, removing petty marketers, an unprecedented development in counterfeit history.

Transnational Criminal Hotspots: Untangling the Impact and Interconnectedness of 'Tri-Border' Areas on Global Illicit Flows

Two 'Tri-Border' areas (TBA) in South America have significant impact on transnational illegal flows. The first TBA encompasses Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, whereas the second lies between Bolivia, Peru, and Chile. These TBAs serves as a crucial hub for various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and smuggling. By analyzing the interconnected nature of these illicit flows, the study sheds light on their far-reaching consequences and their integration into the wider global illicit economy.

Furthermore, it explores the dynamics of how these flows converge and intersect with and contribute to other illicit networks worldwide, highlighting the need for coordinated international efforts to combat such transnational criminal activities.

The hate, the online world and the smoking gun: examining illicit weapons' trade and online hate connection

Examining the links between the online world, the nexus between terrorism and organised crime (particularly illicit weapons' trade) and hate crime/ideology.

Its focus is the impact of these on minorities, and how research and legislation may impact them. Online world is increasingly where crime – including organised (eg illicit wildlife and artefact trade to use of technology and online communication between terrorist groups). Currently, an overlooked aspect is its role in enabling targeted violent action related weapons’ trade that affects minorities, who are often poorly represented and defended; additionally, our viewing of online as “less real” plays a part in enabling this intersection.

Financing of Right-Wing Extremism through Cryptocurrency

Extremism and terrorism have adapted to the digital age by incorporating new technologies into their portfolio of financial tools. Claims suggest that right-wing extremists exploit these new technologies, mainly cryptocurrencies, for anonymity and to bypass financial restrictions. Since empirical evidence is scant to support these claims, we analyse over a hundred addresses associated with far-right extremists, using blockchain analysis and data from the Southern Poverty Law Center (HateWatch). Our findings reveal insights into their operations, including transfer amounts, frequency and involvement of suspicious entities (exchanges, payment systems, mixers, gambling, donations, dark web) (CTC Project - ISFP GA 101036276).