From streets to screens: The digital evolution of organized crime

Organized crime is evolving. What once was a world dominated by drug trafficking, extortion, and street violence is now becoming a shadowy playground of cyber scams, online fraud, and digital theft. Across the globe, both major criminal syndicates and smaller gangs are turning to cybercrime for one key reason: it’s low risk, highly lucrative, and far harder to trace than traditional crimes. From global powerhouses like the Italian Mafia and Russian syndicates to smaller U.S.-based gangs like the Bloods, Crips, and Hells Angels, the shift is clear.

Old Kings of Crime, New Digital Kingdoms

Italian Mafia Groups like the Camorra and ’Ndrangheta, known for their historical grip on drug trafficking and extortion, have embraced the digital age. In 2016, members of these groups were arrested for running illegal online gambling platforms. They’ve also been implicated in schemes involving ransomware and cryptocurrency laundering—a natural evolution for organizations already adept at laundering cash through traditional businesses.

Estimated Earnings: While hard to pin down, estimates suggest these activities bring in millions annually, allowing them to maintain their influence with far less exposure to law enforcement.

Meanwhile, Russian Cybercriminal Syndicates like Evil Corp have gone fully digital. Evil Corp’s leader, Maksim Yakubets, has become infamous for orchestrating ransomware attacks and financial theft schemes that have stolen hundreds of millions globally. These criminals flaunt their wealth openly, from Lamborghinis with “Thief” license plates to pet tigers.

Estimated Earnings: Russian syndicates are believed to rake in up to $680 million annually from stolen credit cards and ransomware schemes. Their global reach and technical expertise make them some of the most dangerous players in the cybercrime world.

Nigerian Confraternities, such as the Neo Black Movement (commonly linked to Black Axe), have also turned to cyber scams. Business Email Compromise (BEC) fraud and other forms of online theft have become central to their operations. These scams involve tricking businesses into wiring funds to fraudulent accounts, often resulting in losses of millions for victims.

Estimated Earnings: These groups, while smaller in scale, have generated hundreds of millions globally through online fraud.

In Asia, Chinese Crime Syndicates have exploited digital platforms to run large-scale scams. These include “pig butchering” scams, where victims are groomed online before being conned into fake investments, often involving cryptocurrency.

Estimated Losses: In 2023 alone, Southeast Asia-based scam operations caused $37 billion in losses.

Street Gangs Go Digital

Smaller, more localized gangs like the Bloods and Crips have also started diversifying their operations to include cybercrime. Historically focused on drug dealing and street violence, these gangs have found cyber scams to be a much safer and equally profitable alternative.

Unemployment Fraud: During the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Bloods were caught filing fraudulent unemployment claims using stolen identities. This scheme brought in millions as governments struggled to detect false claims in overloaded systems.

Carding and Social Media Scams: Both gangs have been involved in credit card fraud (known as carding) and scams on platforms like Instagram. Fake investment or “money flipping” schemes have become common.

Estimated Earnings: Exact figures are difficult to track, but these scams have generated tens of millions in recent years.

The Hells Angels, a motorcycle gang with roots in drug trafficking and racketeering, have also ventured online. Some chapters have reportedly collaborated with hackers to execute ransomware attacks, while others use the dark web to sell drugs anonymously.

Estimated Earnings: Cybercrime remains a smaller part of their operations, but it still adds millions annually to their income.

Why Criminals Love Cybercrime

The appeal of cybercrime is undeniable:

Low Risk, High Reward: Unlike drug deals or extortion, cyber scams lack physical risks. Anonymity and encryption make it harder for law enforcement to trace.

Easy to Learn: Tools for hacking, phishing, and fraud are readily available on the dark web.

Global Reach: Online operations allow criminals to target victims far beyond their traditional geographic limits.

Individuals Must Value Their Data

One of the biggest reasons cybercrime continues to grow is the widespread undervaluation of personal data. Many individuals still operate under the belief that they “have nothing to hide,” failing to realize that criminals don’t need anything incriminating to exploit them. Instead, it’s the simplest pieces of information that hold the most value: names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, credit card details—data we casually hand over to online merchants and services without a second thought.

As individuals, we need to change this mindset. Refuse to provide unnecessary information to online vendors or service providers unless it is absolutely required to complete a transaction. The less data you share, the less there is for criminals to steal.

For organizations, the responsibility is even greater. Businesses must stop using every purchase or transaction as an opportunity to collect excessive amounts of personal data. Not only does this practice put customers at risk, but it also creates a dangerous pool of information that can become a target for cybercriminals. Transparency is key. Companies must focus on collecting only what is necessary and stop profiting from selling or misusing consumer data. Until these practices change, individuals will remain at constant risk of becoming victims.

The Future of Crime

As these criminal organizations continue to adapt, the challenges for law enforcement grow. Investigating a ransomware attack or tracking cryptocurrency laundering requires entirely different skills and resources than busting a drug ring.

The shift to cyberspace may not completely replace traditional crime, but it’s clear that the future of organized crime is increasingly digital. And as these groups refine their methods, the financial stakes—and the threats to businesses and individuals—will only grow.