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A New Paradigm of Organized Crime in the United States: Criminal Syndicates, Cyber‐gangs, and the Worldwide Web
Author(s) -
Britz Marjie T.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
sociology compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 1751-9020
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-9020.2008.00172.x
Subject(s) - organised crime , criminology , cyber crime , sociology , criminal behavior , political science , law , the internet , computer science , world wide web
This paper explores the creation and evolution of organized crime as a concept within the United States. The paper argues that traditional definitions are both incomplete and inaccurate due primarily to their reliance on La Cosa Nostra (i.e. Italian mafia) models and inflexibility. The author proposes the introduction of a new definition, and distinguishes between computer crime committed by organized crime groups and organized criminal activity in a technological environment. In addition, a distinction is made between organized crime and cyber‐gangs . Finally, the author discusses specific examples of computer crime committed by criminal syndicates.