Our Scans · (ZY.4.05) Criminology · Weekly Summary

• [New] The UK government will take a new proactive approach, where action is taken before online crime reaches members of the public, to break the criminal business model and make the UK a less attractive target to criminals. GOV.UK
• [New] In February, J-PAL North America announced its new Initiative for Effective US Crime Policy that will address two interconnected issues: the social and economic costs of crime and of the criminal legal system. The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
• Generative AI, or AI that creates content, can assist in phishing and deepfake attacks, as it is empowering cyber criminals with the ability to enhance their techniques and increase their threat to victims. CFO.com
• The U.S. government has identified transnational and domestic criminal organizations trafficking and smuggling illicit drugs as a significant threat to the public, law enforcement, and national security. USNI News
• The U.S. government defends its deportation policies as necessary for national security, arguing that individuals with criminal ties pose a threat to public safety. Archyde: Latest World News, Economy, Entertainment, Hea
• Authorities in the Mexican state of Michoacan are employing satellite technology to counter water theft, spotlighting the growing threat posed by criminal groups exploiting an increasingly scarce and valuable natural resource. Insight Crime
• 66% of respondents from Hong Kong identified cybersecurity risks and criminal exploitation of AI as top factors driving expected exposure to financial crime in 2025. Fintech Hong Kong
• Businesses that fall victim to so-called ransomware attacks could face a new legal duty to disclose their intention to pay cyber criminals to restore their access to systems and data, under plans outlined by the UK government. Pinsent Masons
• By 2040 transnational criminal networks will have the ability to integrate artificial intelligence, cryptocurrencies, and drones into their operations while taking advantage of corruption and political instability to expand their influence. Latinoamerica 21
• Trump administration officials have called on cities such as Boston to do more to assist their deportation efforts, under the threat of federal funding and even criminal and civil charges for public officials who interfere. The Boston Globe
• Corruption and Financial Crime: A post-war lifting of sanctions on Russia could enable criminal groups to expand their financial operations through money laundering and corruption. DigameXtra
• The UK Government has introduced new laws that will make 'failure to prevent fraud', in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act a criminal offence for large businesses. Old Mill Group
• Gangs and organised crime groups involved in criminal conduct, including money laundering and human trafficking, continue to be a big threat to societies globally. The Straits Times
• The overall motivation for the proposed interventions is to reduce cyber crime and the associated harms to UK businesses, reducing the threat of ransomware attacks by making the UK a less attractive target to ransomware criminals. GOV.UK
• Ransomware criminals have proven highly adaptive, and the Home Office anticipates that further technological enablers such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing will enhance the future threat from ransomware. GOV.UK
• The Olympics faced threats from adversarial countries, criminals wielding ransomware and Russian-aligned hacktivists who use their computer skills to further their political messages. Cyber Threat Landscape: 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• U.S. officials have spent recent months warning through criminal charges, sanctions and public advisories that foreign adversaries are ramping up their efforts to influence voters in the race for the White House. Voice of America (VOA News)
• 'most of the adult UK population has been targeted by fraud' and it is predicted that the threat associated with fraud will increase due to opportunities around the cost of living crisis, international conflict / instability and criminal use of technology. West Yorkshire Police
• Cybersecurity and fraud Attacks will continue to grow in 2025 as criminals adapt new technology to fraud schemes and bad actors, many driven by the dicey geopolitical scene, seek to disrupt leading wealth brands or financial markets. Vouched
• Mexico's National Code of Criminal Procedure requires all state prosecutors' offices to provide protection for witnesses in criminal cases or for other people who may be at risk due their involvement in criminal investigations, such as victims' families. Human Rights Watch
• US President Donald Trump's targeting of the International Criminal Court with sanctions could increase the risk of impunity for the most serious crimes and threaten to erode the international rule of law. The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com
• Data has become an increasingly lucrative commodity to cyber criminals and businesses worldwide face a growing prevalence of cyber threats fueled by artificial intelligence and deepfake technology. Lifestyle & Tech

Last updated: 18 July 2025