MUSIC PIRACY & ORGANISED CRIME - ORGANISED CRIME DEFINED
Many law enforcement bodies, including Interpol and the UK National Criminal Intelligence Service, define organised crime as:
"constituting any enterprise, or group of persons, engaged in continuing illegal activities which has as its primary purpose the generation of profits, irrespective of national boundaries".
Characteristics of organised crime groups and their activities
- Collaboration by a minimum of three people.
- Criminal activity which has, or is intended to be, continued over prolonged period.
- Commission of serious criminal offences, or offences which, taken as a whole, are of considerable importance.
- Motivated by the pursuit of profit or power.
- Operations are international, national or regional.
- Uses violence or intimidation.
- Uses commercial or other business like structures.
- Engages in money laundering.
- Exerts influence upon politics, the media, public administration, judicial authorities or the economy.
