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.

• [New] The UAE Cybersecurity Council warned of a qualitative shift in the methods used by unidentified terrorist groups, who are now exploiting artificial intelligence technologies to develop highly sophisticated offensive tools for deploying ransomware and conducting systematic phishing campaigns. / UAE Dedicated Follower of Tech
• [New] Cyber threats affecting the UK education and research sector continue to evolve, but the pace of change is increasing, driven by geopolitical instability, rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, and the growing professionalization of cyber crime. JISC
• [New] Financial crime in Singapore is rising amid soaring digital transformation and the increasing availability, which fuels deepfake threats. Fintech Singapore
• [New] The ICIE will embed a Chemistry, Ethics and Security Board to conduct mandatory dual-use risk reviews and security training for all NCPC users, mirroring the US Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards. Chemistry World
• [New] Singapore faces ongoing terrorism and radicalization threats, especially affecting youth. ST
• [New] U.S. and other Western security officials say they are monitoring increasingly worrisome signs that Iran could direct proxies to conduct retaliatory terrorist attacks against American targets in Europe and the Middle East if President Trump orders large-scale strikes against Iran. Counter Extremism Project
• [New] The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has vowed to aggressively pursue Chinese organised crime syndicates operating scam compounds across Southeast Asia, warning that geographical borders will not protect criminals who target American victims. ENG.MIZZIMA.COM
• [New] In 2026, cyber threats will be defined by fragmented but constant pressure driven by persistent access, decentralised criminal ecosystems, and synthetic identities that will replace singular attacks with continuous, low-visibility disruption. UKAuthority
• [New] Aiming to join the European Union by 2030, Albanian politics has seen a long and bitter rivalry between left and right-wing parties, with both sides frequently accusing the other of corruption and links to organised crime. Al Jazeera
• [New] An ongoing terrorism risk exists throughout Thailand, particularly in popular tourist areas. Spreaker
• [New] The Pentagon will now only take action against terrorist groups who are deemed to be both capable of and intent on striking the U.S. Atlas Institute for International Affairs
• [New] Denmark will continue to insist on solid evidence-based foundations, clear narrative summaries, and due process safeguards - so that sanctions remain an effective counter-terrorism tool, not a political instrument. DK4UNSC
• [New] As of early 2026, there are 22 countries and territories on the U.S. Department of State's Level 4 Do Not Travel list due to extreme risks such as armed conflict, terrorism, civil unrest, violent crime, kidnapping threats, and limited emergency support from U.S. embassies. Travel And Tour World
• [New] Organizations that invest in scalable controls, integrated systems and strong governance will be better positioned to withstand regulatory pressure and reduce exposure to financial crime in 2026 and beyond. RegTech Analyst
• [New] Criminal networks will likely accelerate drone tactics evolution-employing autonomous navigation, swarm coordination, or hardened communications-before new defences deploy, while studying competition outcomes to develop countermeasures against emerging UK capabilities. Drone Warfare
• [New] Labour wants a dramatic expansion of police use of AI within England and Wales, with police chiefs also believing it could help keep law enforcement up to date with new criminal threats. The Guardian
• [New] Canada could introduce laws requiring artificial intelligence companies to notify police of online threats. 650 CKOM
• [New] Under the updated Crime and Policing Bill, firms that fail to comply risk fines of up to 10% of global revenue or potential service restrictions, with enforcement overseen by Ofcom. Digital Watch Observatory
• [New] In Western countries, including the UK, officers will lean more towards the crime fighting robot. Daily Mail
• [New] India faces terrorist threats on all three fronts - water, land and air - and capacities have been developed to protect the critical sectors of the Indian economy, including power, railways, aviation, ports, defence, space and atomic energy, from State / non-State actors. The Hindu
• [New] The ISF risks becoming little more than a buffer between the IDF and Hamas terrorists, potentially serving as an inadvertent shield when the IDF responds to renewed terrorist activity. The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com
• [New] Trump is expected to announce the countries that will contribute personnel for a UN-authorised stabilization force and assist in training a new Palestinian police force, which the NCAG is expected to oversee. Caliber.az

Last updated: 07 March 2026