The 2024 European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) reports that organized crime remains a serious threat to the internal security of the EU. It impacts individuals’ well-being and incurs substantial political and social costs, along with enormous economic losses that adversely affect the welfare of EU citizens. In 2019, the estimated annual income from nine major criminal markets in the EU ranged between €92 billion and €188 billion, accounting for approximately 0.7% to 1.4% of the GDP of the EU-27. Alarmingly, less than 2% of the estimated annual proceeds from these criminal activities are recovered. The overall economic impact of organized crime is considerably greater, as these revenues are often reinvested into further illegal endeavors or integrated into the legitimate economy, thereby promoting corruption and undermining both personal and public safety (EC, 2021).

In 2023, the financial toll of organized crime on the EU is estimated at €19.2 billion, with 59% attributed to serious cross-border VAT fraud. Cybercrime, which has surged in recent years due to the relentless growth of digitalization and new technologies, is projected to cost the global economy approximately USD 10.5 trillion by 2025 (WEF, 2023).

According to Europol, document fraud, money laundering, corruption, and the online trade of illicit goods and services are key facilitators of organized crime in the EU. Criminal networks often go to great lengths to maintain an appearance of legality, with 86% of the most dangerous networks operating under legal business structures. The staggering fact that 98% of estimated criminal proceeds remain unconfiscated implies a vast scale of money laundering aimed at hiding the origins of these revenues (Europol, 2021).

Organized criminal groups (OCGs) exploit enforcement gaps and thrive in an era of globalization, capitalizing on open borders and free trade. These syndicates are responsive to supply-and-demand dynamics and are highly adaptable to changing circumstances. Their strategies enable some of the most formidable criminal networks to endure for long periods, with 34% having operated for over 10 years.