With one third of the world’s population currently under some form of confinement, changes in crime patterns are already being seen.
As more people are at home, the number of burglaries has dropped, but thieves are increasingly targeting factories or business premises which are standing empty.
There has also been a significant rise in domestic violence cases since the start of coronavirus-related quarantines, with reports showing women and children at greater risk of abuse.
Recent weeks have seen increased online activity by paedophiles seeking child sexual abuse material, which is being exacerbated by a shortage of moderators who identify and remove offensive material from networks.
The INTERPOL report draws on expertise and knowledge from police in countries already dealing with COVID-19 related issues, and will be regularly updated as new threats emerge.
It outlines the ‘crime lifecycle’ to help law enforcement in countries which are now being affected, and identifies the challenges facing police across different regions, as well as best practice and measures to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 related crimes.
Among the evolving threats outlined in the report:
- Marked increase of cyber threats including malicious domains, malware and ransomware
- Health service providers and essential products outlets increasingly targeted as critical infrastructure
- Fraudulent and counterfeit trade in personal protective equipment (PPE) and anti-viral pharmaceuticals
- Increased drug commerce via social media, encrypted apps and the Darknet
- Individuals and businesses on reduced incomes potential targets of loan sharks
INTERPOL says is also currently monitoring and receiving information from member countries in relation to shifts in other crime areas such as people smuggling, human trafficking and environmental crime.
