2024: Global Crime Trends – Cybercrime, Organized Crime, and Environmental Offens (part-6)es

Kazi Abul Monsur, Journalist#
The year 2024 has witnessed a wide range of criminal activities that have had profound impacts on national security, public safety, and global justice systems. From cybercrime and organized crime syndicates to drug trafficking and human rights violations, the world’s criminal landscape is complex and ever-evolving. In this part of the series, we’ll dive into the most pressing global crime trends of 2024, analyzing the rise of new criminal methods, international law enforcement efforts, and the role of technology in both facilitating and combating crime.

Cybercrime: The Growing Threat in 2024
Cybercrime has exploded in 2024, with ransomware attacks, data breaches, and cyber espionage becoming more sophisticated and frequent. The digital transformation of businesses, governments, and critical infrastructure has created new vulnerabilities, and cybercriminals are exploiting these gaps at an alarming rate.

Ransomware Attacks: Hackers have increasingly targeted both private corporations and government entities. In 2024, major corporations and healthcare systems were victims of large-scale ransomware attacks, with cybercriminals demanding cryptocurrency payments in exchange for the return of stolen data. For example, the Hospitals in Europe and Asia-Pacific faced crippling ransomware attacks that shut down critical healthcare services, putting lives at risk.

Data Breaches: In 2024, some of the world’s most significant data breaches occurred, compromising the personal data of millions of individuals. Social media platforms, financial institutions, and healthcare providers were among the top targets. These breaches were not just a financial loss, but also put sensitive information into the hands of criminals who used it for identity theft, fraud, and blackmail.

Cyber Espionage: Nation-state actors have become more aggressive in cyber espionage, infiltrating government networks, defense contractors, and critical infrastructure to steal classified information and disrupt operations. Countries like Russia, China, and North Korea have been accused of engaging in state-sponsored cyber activities targeting political and economic rivals.

Organized Crime and Drug Cartels
Transnational organized crime remains a persistent threat in 2024, with drug cartels, human trafficking rings, and mafia organizations operating across borders. The drug trade, in particular, has seen a shift in how criminal organizations operate, with increased use of digital platforms for smuggling and distribution.

Drug Trafficking: The global drug trade has continued to expand, with synthetic drugs like fentanyl reaching new markets. Drug cartels in Latin America, particularly in Mexico, have adapted to new technology, using encrypted communications and dark web marketplaces to distribute illicit drugs globally. The U.S., Canada, and European countries have seen record levels of overdoses linked to these synthetic opioids in 2024.

Human Trafficking: Human trafficking remains a global issue, with criminal syndicates exploiting vulnerable individuals for forced labor, sex trafficking, and child exploitation. Technology has made it easier for traffickers to hide their activities through online recruitment, fake job offers, and untraceable transactions. In response, international law enforcement agencies are increasing their focus on dismantling trafficking networks, and there has been a rise in global cooperation to combat the problem.

Cyber Cartels: A new breed of cyber cartels has emerged in 2024, blending traditional criminal enterprises with cybercrime. These multi-faceted syndicates operate in illicit online markets, engaging in drug distribution, fraud, and human trafficking while exploiting the anonymity of the dark web.

Environmental Crimes and Illegal Activities
As the world faces mounting environmental challenges, eco-crimes have become a focal point in 2024. Illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, and pollution are taking a severe toll on ecosystems, and law enforcement agencies are struggling to tackle these global issues.

Illegal Logging and Deforestation: Illegal logging remains one of the biggest threats to the environment. Countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America continue to experience rampant illegal timber extraction. Criminal syndicates involved in these activities often use bribes, fake permits, and corruption to facilitate their operations. In some regions, illegal logging is linked to deforestation and the destruction of habitats for endangered species.

Wildlife Trafficking: The illegal wildlife trade has skyrocketed in 2024, with elephants, rhinos, tigers, and pangolins among the most trafficked species. These animals are slaughtered for their body parts, which are sold for traditional medicine, luxury goods, and exotic pets. The global demand for illegal wildlife products is exacerbated by online platforms that enable buyers and sellers to transact anonymously.

Pollution and Waste Dumping: Organized criminal groups are also responsible for the illegal dumping of toxic waste and pollution. Some shipping networks facilitate the illegal disposal of hazardous materials, often in developing countries with weak environmental laws. These illegal activities have contributed to rising levels of marine pollution, particularly plastics, in the Oceans.

Terrorism and Extremism in 2024
Terrorism remains a threat in 2024, as both state and non-state actors continue to engage in violent tactics aimed at destabilizing governments and sowing fear in civilian populations. The rise of extremist ideologies and lone-wolf attacks are among the most concerning criminal developments.

Extremist Attacks: In 2024, several countries saw a rise in right-wing extremism, Islamic State (ISIS)-related activity, and left-wing radicalism, often manifested in terrorist attacks or mass shootings. Europe, North America, and parts of Southeast Asia experienced numerous violent incidents tied to extremism. Radicalization continues to be fueled by social media, misinformation, and deep political divisions.

Terrorism Financing: Terrorist groups, including those affiliated with ISIS and Al-Qaeda, continue to rely on complex networks to fund their activities. These networks include illegal arms trade, drug trafficking, and even cybercrime (such as ransomware payments). In 2024, authorities are focusing on disrupting these funding channels, which are often cross-border and involve financial institutions.

Hybrid Warfare: Terrorist organizations are increasingly using hybrid tactics, combining conventional violence with cyberattacks, social media manipulation, and information warfare. This makes it harder for traditional law enforcement to combat terrorism, requiring more collaborative international efforts.

Global Efforts to Tackle Crime
Efforts to combat global crime in 2024 have led to increased collaboration among international agencies such as INTERPOL, Europol, and UNODC. Cybercrime has prompted global treaties on cybersecurity, while military operations have focused on disrupting drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia. Countries are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to combat crime, leveraging predictive policing tools, data analytics, and AI-based crime detection systems.

Key Developments in Crime Prevention:

AI for Crime Prevention: AI technologies are being used to predict crime hotspots and assist law enforcement agencies in preemptively targeting criminal activities. AI-driven systems are also used in forensics, aiding in the identification of suspects and analyzing criminal behavior patterns.
International Law Enforcement Cooperation: Cross-border cooperation has intensified in 2024, with joint operations between countries to dismantle organized crime syndicates, arrest cybercriminals, and shut down illegal networks. INTERPOL and Europol have played crucial roles in coordinated actions against transnational crime.##