NCJ Number
147095
Journal
Crime, Law, and Social Change Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: special issue (December 1993) Pages: 293-309
Date Published
1993
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The investigation into the scandal surrounding the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) has provided a rare look into the world of sophisticated criminal activities and global networks of shared illicit interests, power, influence, and victimization.
Abstract
This author argues that, in order to fight organized international crime groups, investigators must be able to explore their links with legitimate organizations and government policies that provide crime-facilitative conditions and create demands such as those fulfilled by BCCI. The bank was involved in narcotics traffic and money laundering, smuggling and insurance fraud, the illegal arms trade and terrorism, and financial manipulations. Conditions conducive to a global market for illegal services and secrecy include oppressive regimes, political instability, ethnic and religious conflict, and contradictory government policies. The BCCI affair demonstrated the risks posed by inadequate international regulatory authority and the ability of determined law evaders to exploit the conflicting approaches of national governments. 69 notes and 50 references