This paper is a study into the criminal operations of various organized crimes concerning victims of trafficking, internet crimes such as sex crimes and money-related crimes. With the rise of the internet and technological advertisements, organized crimes continue to be a formidable societal vice that requires specialized focus to defeat.
Victims of Trafficking
The new-age definition of slavery encompasses human trafficking. The purposes range from forced cheap labor, sexual exploitation, and organ trafficking. According to Kassab and Rosen (2018), an outstanding number of people live in conditions that are considered slave. Furthermore, they are subjected to grave injustices of their fundamental rights and freedoms. The most basic recruitment method is the internet. The perpetrators of these crimes prefer it for its low-risk anonymity and high potential returns. A vital characteristic of the victims is the source of vulnerability, usually manifested by the age or monetary situation (Kassab and Rosen). They may also be running from a turbulent situation and are therefore desperate for a solution. In summary, there is potential to take advantage. There is also an inability to properly verify the information from the side of the victim, implying that they have limited exposure to proper information and verification procedures.
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Numerous websites on the internet are specially created and used to recruit potential victims. The perpetrators forge a relationship with their victims to establish a point of manipulation which could fall under fraud, force, or coercion (Sage Publications, 2018). The most common methods misrepresent situations often promising jobs, educational opportunities, or even subsidized tourist holidays. Especially susceptible children are often lured with simple false promises such as confectionaries though guises of friendship and false senses of securities. Traffickers usually keep their victims under abhorrent conditions, barely providing them with food and medical care (Sage Publications, 2018). They often subject their victims to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse irreversibly scarring them. Despite the continuous efforts made to free the captives, there is still a long way to go. There is widespread underreporting and underestimation of the problem at hand. The victims are sometimes either freed or escape after a few years, are threatened into silence or remain in captivity. The captives choose victims that they can intimidate or threaten into silence or who are too disadvantaged to seek some recourse actions.
Internet Sex Crimes
The burgeoning human trafficking business has grown into a multi-billionaire business. Nearly half of the profits are generated in industrialized countries with typically less developed regions serving as the sources (Ibanez & Gazan, 2016). The targeted groups are mostly women and children who are used for sexual exploitation. The trade thrives in environments where the law is easily manipulated that will permit high profitability at reduced risk. There is a surprisingly sizeable domestic sex trafficking market in developed countries such as Germany and the United States (Ibanez & Gazan, 2016). Majority of these pimp-controlled sex trafficking activities are operated online. The domestic operators often target unsuspecting foreigners or naïve locals who sometimes willingly advertise themselves on personal websites. Setting up meetings and later holding these people captive is a practice that is used on them. The victims are often held against their wills, being threatened, manipulated, and physically restrained.
The integration of the internet by modern-day pimps has been a considerable contributor to driving this business into its colossal size. It is necessary to understand the relationship dynamics between a pimp and their victims who are sometimes unaware of their captive status (Roe-Sepowitz et al., 2014). The pimps forge an emotional relationship using violence and a victim dependency dynamic; they make their victims feel indebted and dependent on them while simultaneously instilling fear. There is a surety of painful repercussions in the event of betrayal or an attempt at liberation. Pimps use violence and manipulative strategies, often constricting movements and money, debt creation, and even creating a substance dependency. (Roe-Sepowitz et al., 2014). Given the prevalent use of the internet in this trade, it is possible to monitor relevant sites and collect information about specific critical metrics. This could include frequent users and the basis of target determination which could consequently give insight into the larger criminal enterprise.
Money
The evolution of financial crimes has, in some instances led to catastrophic consequences. This has been perpetuated in forms of modern-day white-collar crimes as well as racketeering, blackmails (Arjan, 2016). Despite numerous scandals in the financial world, the ambiguous nature of whether a transgression is ethical or illegal has created the perfect playground for financially literate criminals. Furthermore, the integration of organized crime proceeds into financial markets often provides criminals with the ideal laundering machine (Arjan, 2016). The crimes sometimes extend to other human elements; online fraud rings, conmen, and hackers have become a growing menace. The targets are often underage victims or superficially internet savvy individuals that are easily susceptible or manipulated. With the interconnected nature of the existing social structures, it is easy to obtain an individual's information from their online activity. The data gives conmen and hackers an imprint to use when perpetrating their crimes.
An increasing and worrying trend that encourages crime and victimization is internet gambling. The delicate nature of internet laws makes it challenging to enforce jurisdictional policies and restrictions (Banks, 2017). Furthermore, it puts a strain on legitimate sporting businesses that spend considerable fees in fighting the collective regulatory implications that arise as a result of the fraudulent. Internet gambling is relatively new and in some cases, either legal or largely unregulated while also being easily accessible at minimal costs. Although countries attempt to impose regulations and fines, the rapid growth and lucrative nature of the business makes it difficult to enforce the rules (Banks, 2017). In some developed countries, these betting houses are often used to launder illegally obtained money. There are significant loopholes when it comes to laws related to internet-related money crimes. The lack of clear definition continues to create an avenue for the perpetrators to avoid unaccountability. There has been interest by several states in creating more stringent policies with regard to advertising and fraud as a means of protection for otherwise potential victims. Several countries have adopted unfavorable policies in a bid to create hostile markets for new and existing participants.
Fundamental abuse of human rights is an undesirable stain in the history of the human race. Unfortunately, with the advancement of time and the daily human experience, there seem to be growing avenues for vulnerability. In addition to this, the practice is persistent, and the responsible parties continue to adapt as more stringent rules are applied. The onset of the internet has made certain groups of people who were before protected by being disconnected available. In order to mitigate and perhaps eradicate these practices, the control and punishment measures should fix the existing loopholes that make it possible for them to continue.
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