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] Calls by foreign terrorist organizations for attacks on the United States based on recent events: Foreign terrorist organizations will likely continue to maintain a highly visible online presence to attempt to inspire U.S.-based individuals to engage in violent activity. U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• [New] Germany plans to amend its Criminal Code to punish disposable agents acting on behalf of foreign powers, amid sabotage investigations that authorities suspect may be linked to Russia. EU DisinfoLab
• [New] The European Banking Authority will continue to address money laundering and terrorist financing risks through prudential supervision. Sumsub
• [New] U.S. officials cite worsening terrorism risks, tight movement restrictions, and the need for military escorts for overland travel as reasons for the higher alert. The Traveler
• [New] The State Department cites the risk of terrorism, kidnapping, and piracy, warning that U.S. citizens could be targeted in attacks or abductions for ransom. The Traveler
• [New] U.S. expands 2026 Level 4 Do Not Travel advisories to eight African countries, reshaping trip planning with heightened terrorism risks, limited consular support, and potential insurance voids for American travelers. The Traveler
• [New] As information from low-level surveillance technologies such as stingrays and predictive policing programs are all getting siphoned up into NSA data centers, a detailed global map will continue to grow with near-endless stats on all individuals. The Intercept
• [New] The current operational environment for the Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters is dynamic, and CT Policing must continually evolve to respond to the ever changing threat landscape facing the UK. Counter Terrorism Policing
• [New] With the criminal division of the US Department of Justice put in place a whistleblower awards pilot program in 2025, we expect 2026 to see discussion in the UK about potential whistleblower incentives as part of a wider push on anti-corruption. JD Supra
• [New] Regulators and authorities worldwide have warned for years about crypto's role in crime, as it is generally subject to less specific regulation than mainstream finance. Insurance Journal
• [New] The number of live facial recognition vans will increase five-fold, with 50 vans available to every police force in England and Wales to catch violent and sexual offenders. Mirage News
• [New] Homeland in 2026 The United States' recent military and political actions have greatly changed the terrorist threat streams throughout the globe. Hstoday
• [New] Iran warned of military retaliation against U.S. forces and regional allies, and labeled European militaries as terrorists, after the European Union designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
• [New] Pakistan will not achieve stability unless the roots of terrorism are eliminated, accusing the Afghan Taliban of failing to prevent militant activities originating from Afghan soil. Counter Extremism Project
• [New] Jewish communities in Britain and across Europe continue to face an acute security threat from a myriad of radical Islamic terrorist elements, even as large anti-Israel street demonstrations decrease in the wake of the current Gaza truce. Counter Extremism Project
• [New] Terrorism has evolved from a centralized threat (Al-Qaeda core) to a diffuse, localized insurgency model. Ronin's Grips
• [New] Russia's designation means any Russian citizen who interacts with WhiteBIT could now face criminal charges. CoinDesk
• [New] India, as the Chair in 2026, will be hosting the BRICS Summit and a large number of sectoral meetings ranging from commerce, connectivity, currency and counter-terrorism and culture to technology and fintech, education, R&D, traditional medicine and youth and sports exchanges. The Standard
• [New] An international stabilization force of troops from various countries will deploy to Gaza, retrained Palestinian police would take over security and a Palestinian technocratic committee would take over governance from Hamas. GBH
• [New] A distinct and growing counterterrorism risk in 2026 is the continued evolution of drug trafficking organizations into hybrid security threats, particularly following their designation as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Hstoday
• [New] The threat from US-based individuals inspired by foreign terrorist organizations has risen to its highest level in five years, fanned by the ongoing Israel-HAMAS conflict and a resurgence in English-language terrorist media. Ken Klippenstein
• [New] The message from Washington and its allies is unmistakable: the fight against drug trafficking and criminal organizations is entering a new, more collaborative phase - one that could reshape the security landscape of the Western Hemisphere for years to come. Grand Pinnacle Tribune
• [New] Growing focus on terrorism liability Around the world, governments are placing greater responsibility on organizations to anticipate and mitigate the impact of terrorist incidents. CFC

Last updated: 07 February 2026