Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime

How scam call centres move money? Bank transfers. Money mules. Crypto mixers. Here's how scam profits disappear. Once the money is taken, it moves through a web of shell companies, offshore accounts, and cryptocurrency tumblers designed to obscure its origins at every step. Some of the people moving that money don't even know they're part of it. Check out the full episode of Scam Centres in Eurasia from the Organized Crime Index Podcast on https://buff.ly/NAKwAaZ #ScamCentres #OrganizedCrime #GITOC

As states increase defense spending in response to growing geopolitical tensions, rapid advances in weapons technology and state-sponsored criminality, the need for effective arms control has never been more urgent. At the Biennial Meeting of States on the Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons in New York, Paddy Ginn Senior Expert at GITOC, distilled our global research and field expertise into four key messages: ■ The highest risk of arms proliferation often comes in the immediate aftermath of conflict. Planning for weapons and ammunition management must begin before conflicts end. ■ Arms trafficking is evolving. The illicit trade is increasingly modular, involving parts, dual-use components and 3D-printed frames, often moved through postal and courier systems. ■ Firearms trafficking is deeply intertwined with other criminal economies, particularly drug markets. Stronger intelligence-sharing and collaboration with civil society are essential to disrupt these networks. ■ The spread of technical knowledge and expertise is outpacing traditional controls. Strategies must address the movement of skills and information, not only weapons themselves. States were urged to strengthen post-conflict preparedness, adapt arms control frameworks to emerging trafficking models, invest in cross-border intelligence sharing, and develop robust approaches to counter the transfer of expertise that fuels organized crime. The challenges are clear. The question now is whether states can move fast enough to adapt. Effective responses will depend on stronger cooperation, better intelligence sharing and a willingness to address emerging threats before they become entrenched. #ArmsTrafficking #SmallArms #OrganizedCrime #GlobalSecurity

We've released the third episode of our Russian Organized Crime series. Leading Russia expert Mark Galeotti examines one of the most alarming consequences of Russia's war in Ukraine: the return of battle-hardened veterans to the criminal underworld — and what history suggests may come next. In this episode, he explores: • Why returning veterans are a major recruitment pool for Russian criminal groups • How the Soviet-Afghan War set a dangerous precedent — and why the impact of Ukraine may be even greater • The 'arms race' dynamic fuelling gang-on-gang violence • Why post-war Russia could face significant fractures within its criminal landscape Watch the full episode on our Organized Crime Dispatch YouTube channel: https://buff.ly/iOo4HaC #OrganizedCrime #Russia #Ukraine #SecurityStudies

Modern Slavery and the €25 Billion Agro-Mafia The recent murder of four farm workers in Italy has unmasked the extreme violence underpinning parts of the Italian agricultural sector. Surveillance footage capturing the targeted killing of workers who demanded their wages highlights the reach of the caporalato system. This is part of a systemic exploitation where gangmasters control every aspect of the workers' lives, including visas, transport and housing in informal slums. This system is a core pillar of the agro-mafia, which integrates local crime rings with larger organized crime syndicates. 80% of victims are migrants who are forced into labour through threats of violence, producing goods that eventually reach global supermarket shelves. 
 To disrupt these illicit markets, we must look beyond the ‘Made in Italy’ label and address the criminal infrastructure that enables such profound human rights abuses. Share this content to support our work in mapping and exposing transnational organized crime. Giulia D'Amico #SupplyChainIntegrity #OrganizedCrime #Agromafia #HumanRights

Félicitations à l’APADIME pour cette reconnaissance environnementale décernée par le gouvernement du Cameroun à l’occasion de la Journée mondiale de l’environnement. Dans le bassin du Congo, la protection de l’environnement exige engagement, résilience et courage. Alors que les défis environnementaux s’intensifient, le travail des organisations locales et des leaders communautaires est plus important que jamais. Nous sommes ravis de voir les efforts de l’APADIME reconnus à travers cette distinction. Au-delà d’une récompense, elle témoigne de l’impact d’une action soutenue visant à protéger les écosystèmes, renforcer les communautés et préserver l’avenir du bassin du Congo. Félicitations à Estelle Ewoule et à toute l’équipe de l’APADIME. Nous sommes heureux de constater que votre travail est reconnu et que vous continuez à renforcer vos capacités afin de promouvoir un changement positif au Cameroun. La GI-TOC et le Fonds de résilience sont fiers de collaborer avec des partenaires dont le travail démontre la force du leadership local dans la mise en œuvre de changements porteurs de sens. #WorldEnvironmentDay #CongoBasin #EnvironmentalProtection #GIResilience

How are criminal networks turning legal visas into smuggling routes? In late 2025, a group of Chinese nationals arrived in Belgrade legally. Days later, they were attempting to cross the Danube in a smuggler’s boat. This is the reality of ‘hybrid smuggling’; a growing phenomenon where migrants enter the Western Balkans through legitimate channels before turning to professionalized criminal networks to reach the EU. Organized crime groups are now deeply embedded in the recruitment process of foreign workers in the Western Balkans, often collaborating with private companies to secure visas through fraudulent contracts. This is not just an enforcement issue; it is a systemic exploitation of labour migration and tourist visa regimes. To protect vulnerable people and maintain regional security, Western Balkan governments must oversight of labour migration channels to prevent involvement of organized crime and the exploitation of foreign nationals. Read our latest analysis to realize the true scale of the professionalized smuggling trade in the Balkans: https://buff.ly/hIYv7SW #BalkanRoute #HybridSmuggling #HumanRights #GITOC

In Cité Soleil, schools continue to operate despite the challenges posed by organized violence. Parents, teachers and students have made the difficult decision to keep education alive, recognizing that schools remain essential spaces for children and families. As concerns grow over the impact of intensified drone operations in densely populated neighborhoods, local education leaders are calling for greater protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Schools are not military objectives; they are places of learning, safety and hope. Through its Resilience Fund, the GI-TOC supports community-led organizations working to strengthen resilience and safeguard civic space in contexts affected by violence. The protection of civilians, particularly children, must remain central to all security responses. Find the full video here: https://buff.ly/EbqOsNA #ProtectEducation #CivilianProtection #GIResilience #Haiti

The sentencing of Sean McGovern marks a significant moment in ongoing efforts to disrupt the Kinahan Organized Crime Group and address the broader challenges posed by transnational organized crime. In a recent interview with RTÉ Prime Time, John Collins, Director of Academic Engagement at GITOC, discussed the operational and diplomatic efforts that helped bring major organized crime figures to justice. He also explored the role of international cooperation in countering transnational organized crime, including the ongoing extradition process involving Daniel Kinahan. Watch the interview to hear insights on the intersection of organized crime, illicit financial networks and international law enforcement cooperation. https://buff.ly/WOCFQsv #OrganizedCrime #TransnationalCrime #IllicitEconomies #LawEnforcement

❇️ This month's #ECOSolve newsletter highlights the latest data from our Global Monitoring System, including community efforts via the ECO-SOLVERS campaign, key points from our Geneva briefing and CCPCJ participation, a new environmental crime podcast, and our recent report on AI and environmental crime following the Bangkok workshop.