Organized Crime Syndicates

The business of organized crime is a profitable one. Estimated figures of its global economic value are in the realm of $1 trillion annually, which, if even remotely accurate, makes it a contender with many of the world’s largest legitimate industries. This is in large part due to its illicit nature and the willingness of its participants to utilize a wide variety of unconventional means to achieve economic prosperity. In many respects, organized criminal enterprises operate much like legitimate enterprises, by following and responding to market demands; however, the illegitimate nature of their activity requires that they operate in a much more deceptive and opportunistic way.