International Organized Crime
Group 2 Project
Your Wiki should include the following written in the style of a Wikipedia page:
· Identify the nations where you will be conducting your criminal venture. Which is
the base of operations and which is the destination country? Why? What are the
push/pull factors? Cite laws and/or regulations in the targeted countries.
· What is the structure of your organization? What current transnational crime
organization is it similar to? Why did you choose this structure?
· Each member of the group must create a short biographic sketch identifying their
position in the organization. Why are you personally involved (again, think about the
push/pull factors), what is your motivation (idealistic, political, financial, a combination)?
· What are you going to do? Is you activity currently illegal or criminal or is it an
activity not yet classified as transnational crime but may very well be after your group
engages in it. Be creative!
· Finally, how will you carry this out? Describe the market for your product and/or
service. What is the mode of delivery? What materials do you need to carry out your
crime? And, most important, how will you avoid detection and prosecution? Cite laws
and/or regulations in the targeted countries that govern the activities that you have
chosen.
Next meeting: November 29th at 8:30pm over Zoom. Have bios complete with other
ideas
Checklist of tasks to determine
Chosen nation/nations:
Base of operations location: Venezuela as base of operations with satellite
roles
Target country/countries: United States: We chose the United States as our
target country because of their major businesses and large healthcare system.
Mainly, we want to target healthcare providers, such as UPMC, because of their
abundance of personal information access, such as credit card information and
social security numbers. We also find that healthcare providers have become more
vulnerable to cyber attacks because of their fragileness due to the pandemic.
Push/pull factors in chosen nation: Weak law enforcement capability and high
corruption level makes Venezuela a good base country, information is always in demand
and very valuable (profitable). Supply of information: only limited by ability to
successfully hack and launder (which is increasingly difficult with greater cybersecurity
measures). Many multi-billion dollar companies based in the United States and the
population lends itself to lots of personally identifiable information (supply)
Proposed activity: [Title] is a quasi-black market intelligence agency that seeks to formalize the
acquisition and syndication of essential information between our clients and the data they need to
carry out their own operations. Our organization deals primarily in black market information and
intelligence obtained through cyberattacks against US-based companies and organizations. We
then sell the stolen information or intelligence to other criminal syndicates and foreign
governments. Through our cell-based network of highly trained professionals across five major
cells, [title] works under the cover of the dark web and through our developed human networks
to design and implement sophisticated cyberattacks. The main materials we need for success are
skills and computer and IT infrastructure, but thanks to our recruitment and PR cell, there is a
steady demand and campaign for recruitment of trained individuals in the sphere of hacking and
cybercrime. [title] is a generally decentralized organization that communicates primarily through
layered and encrypted dark web channels to avoid detection. These communication safeguards,
along with the exploitation of lax laws in our host country of Venezuela and the expertise of our
legal “cell,” it would be very difficult for law enforcement to tie every member of the
organization together for prosecution.
Reason for the country: Venezuela is a ripe location for crime to erupt. Not only are the social
and economic conditions in the country ideal for criminal operations, but the country is also in a
great location for the transportation of illegal goods or services. In our case, the location makes it
easy for our leaders to travel back and forth to our target location. Furthermore, both the seaports
and airports are abysmally controlled by law enforcement, which makes it easy for our
organization to collude with others for travel arrangements. On the social and economic side,
Venezuela is currently dealing with an economic recession, high corruption among authorities,
high availability of weapons, and an overall lack of peace among citizens. Said conditions make
information, such as personally identifiable information, very valuable in the country and create
a marketplace for a criminal organization to fill in.
Destination country: The United States presents many opportunities for illegal marketplaces
because there is such a huge demand for illicit goods and services. Many multi-billion dollar
companies based in the country receive and supply a wealth of information on their clients or
consumers, which is just the information we look for. Mainly, we want to target healthcare
providers, such as UPMC, because of their abundance of personal information access, such as
credit card information and social security numbers. We also find that healthcare providers have
become more vulnerable to cyber attacks because of their fragility due to the pandemic. Our
success in retaining this information solely depends on our ability to hack and launder it, which
is becoming increasingly difficult with greater cybersecurity measures being implemented.
However, the vulnerability of databases among these large companies is not waning, and the
demand for this information on the black market is always present. Additionally, the United
States is full of people who lack general online safety awareness, which makes it easy for our
organization to steal their information directly. The only limit on the supply of information is the
ability for our organization to recruit skilled individuals and successfully design and implement
hacking and cybersecurity operations, which has proven to be increasingly more challenging (but
not wholly unprofitable) in recent years.
Like the Chinese Triads, our organized crime group is not highly organized and is made of
independent groups or cells that have similar structures. Members within the group hold different
roles and are advanced in different aspects of criminal activity. In this organized crime group,
there is no hierarchical structure, meaning nobody is vertically “above” one another. We chose
this structure because we did not want one main leader and instead wanted everyone to use their
strengths to lead their own “cell.” The decentralized, loose structure of the Triads was most
appealing and relatable to our organization’s activities and goals, and advantageous in the case of
avoiding detection and prosecution by law enforcement in either Venezuela or the United States.
Some “cell” members may have slightly different motivations and skills, but all are committed to
the aims and advantages of associational membership with our organization.
Structure of organization: based loosely on triad organization, divided,
decentralized
Similarly structured organization: triads- Like the Chinese Triads, our organized
crime group is not highly organized and is made of independent groups or cells that have
similar structures. Members within the group hold different roles and are advanced in
different aspects of criminal activity. In this organized crime group, there is no
hierarchical structure, meaning nobody is vertically “above” one another. We chose this
structure because we did not want one main leader and instead wanted everyone to use
their strengths to lead their own “cell.” The decentralized, loose structure of the Triads
was most appealing and relatable to our structure.
Biographical sketch for each member: Brandon Graham — hacking, Danelle —
accounting, Hannah — PR, Ayanna — legal, Arjona — operations, Brandon Kim — ?
Proposed activity/activities: cybercrime operations where we steal personal info and
sell to other criminal syndicates and/or foreign governments. Black market
intelligence agency
Strategy for success
Market for product/service: criminals and governments who need info
Mode of delivery: dark web and human networks
Materials needed: skills, computer/IT infrastructure
How will we avoid detection? Decentralized organization, our LE specialist 😉
Law/regulation citations
Brainstorming:
Main crime — financial fraud/cybercrime
Somewhat decentralized organization between two or three countries with perhaps thematically
grouped jobs in each country base
Model after Triad structure?
Base countries
Push-pull factors:
Legal Leader:
Most people know me as Ayanna Freeman, but in the organization, I am known as “L.E.,”
which is short for the “Law Evader.” I was once the top defense attorney in the United
States, with numerous high-profile cases. The law firm I was associated with, Confident
Lawyers Team, was lucky to have me because I was the sole lawyer bringing in the
money to keep the firm running. However, my boss never recognized my hard work and
dedication, often trying to lower my caseloads and even trying to dock my pay on several
occasions. The last straw occurred when my boss took away my “employee of the
month” designation, citing that I did not seem as dedicated as other lawyers in the firm.
This subsequently meant that my plaque on the wall was taken down, and I no longer had
the “employee of the month” front parking space. As one could imagine, I swiftly left the
firm after this incident and was seriously considering starting my own firm when I was
contacted by The Accountant, who offered me the deal of a lifetime. By accepting the
offer, I would never be doubted again, I would be my own boss (in a way), and I would
have more money, power, and influence than any other defense attorney in the world. Not
to mention, I would not even need my own parking space because I would be able to have
my own chauffeur. By acting as the Chief Legal Officer of … I would be in charge of
getting any member who gets caught off the hook or significantly lighter sentences,
which is what I am the best at. Additionally, I would be in charge of keeping up with the
laws and regulations dealing with our organization, both in the United States and in
Venezuela. Venezuela has very few laws combating cybercrime, which is why I think the
organization made a smart move in the location of its base, and that was another reason
why I accepted the offer.
PR Leader:
My name is Hannah Faulkner, but to our clients and the members of our organization I
am simply known as H. I entered college with the plan of studying public relations and
communications to eventually work in corporate or nonprofit communications. I was a
good student and was incredibly well-connected in my local community throughout my
university career. I never held a leadership role but I did always know all the secrets,
privileged information, and it was always easy to talk my way out of any (alleged)
trouble I got into. As I entered into the corporate and nonprofit worlds I continued to
refine these soft skills but quickly grew disillusioned with the hollow nature of
large-scale PR culture even as I quickly rose through the ranks. My network grew but my
passion for the work I did so well waned. Until at a networking party I was approached
by the hotshot L.E. who spoke of an opportunity to practice my craft without a muzzle,
travel the world, and stoke a little anarchy on the side. Now I am the chief PR officer for
(name) and every day is a well-compensated adventure. My primary tasks include
identifying and interacting with clients, brokering deals between our organization and
other criminal groups or national governments, and overseeing public relations
campaigns to help get the word out about (name). My secret weapon is my charm and my
ability to be a ghost among groups of heavy-hitters. I am primarily based at our US office
to oversee recruitment and grease the wheels of any issues the organization might face
with US law enforcement, but I spend a lot of time in South America, Eastern Europe,
and the UAE to interact with clients, recruit independent contractors or new members,
and oversee transactions and information exchanges.
Accountant:
My name is Danelle Deasy, and I am known as the accountant for ___. Through my
anti-social antics, I had founded the group through a Dark Web forum, which was related
to the passion of anarchy. I live a luxurious lifestyle with my family in the Bahamas, who
have no clue of this side job.We live as an average family, meaning nobody would ever
suspect me to be a part of an anarchist group who steals personal information. On the
surface, I am an accountant at a local bank as only a front because I make 7 times more
money through my crime organization. Outside of the group, I am Danelle, but within my
Dark Web, I am only known as “The Accountant.”
I help the group with financial situations and assist in turning our “dirty” money into
“clean” money through money laundering. Using the Dark Web to sell information can be
difficult to transfer money, but we often use cryptocurrency to complete transactions with
foreign governments and other individuals interested in buying credit card information.
With my double degree in Computer Science and Accounting from Harvard, I have
mastered the art of learning how to money launder cryptocurrency. This location is not
only perfect for the beaches and weather, but also the relaxed laws on cryptocurrency and
banking in general. It is also the perfect place to hide money because, like Swiss banks,
Bahamian banks are known for their secrecy, making it easy to hide suspicious money.
Tech:
My name is Brandon Graham, but lately I’ve been trying out some cool new nicknames and I
think I’ve decided on “Masterkey”. I’ve always been good with computers, which is definitely the
reason I graduated from MIT so fast. College is pretty easy when you can get any grade you
want on a test…anywho, with a degree from the best programming school in the US, I took that
degree and did what all successful people do; I followed the money. That landed me in Tokyo,
where I was promptly hired on to be not only the tech consultant for 5 different companies, but
let me build a reputation as the best in the business. With this reputation, I was able to start my
own consulting company. I was my own boss, and it was cool and all, but I wanted more. That’s
when I came back to the US and ended up in Silicon Valley. This is where the real money came
in. All the hipsters that wanted to start apps or websites used mommy and daddy’s money to
pay whatever I asked for in exchange for “help”. I helped them alright. On every app I
developed, I built in my own “back door”. This allowed me to charge people for the most
high-end security money could buy that looks super legit to everyone looking at it and runs
smooth as butter. The only issue for them was I had the master key. Now this is when I started
making money. I was the literal definition of passive income. Then it got a little sticky. To make a
long story short, a very popular fruit-named company asked me to look into their network and
security because they had had some leaks. I obviously obliged and obviously changed the locks
on the back door. I now have access to everything that has to do with…fruit. I didn’t know there
was an issue at all, until just a few months ago. Apparently some of my older projects from the
past had gone under and people were starting to see some commonalities, mostly me. Then,
fortune just happens to bump into me on the streets of the Valley. “The Frontman” (his choice
not mine) introduces himself to me as “a big fan of my work”, and invites me to coffee. He tells
me that he’s been following my investments since I left Tokyo and he knows I’m about to be in
some trouble. He tells me that he has a very good friend that has her own law firm, and is one of
the best attorneys in the world. He says that I can actually make money if I have her on my side
just in case. Then he offers the real deal. He wants me to do the same thing I’ve been doing for
years, but let him have access to the key to the backdoor. Then he leaves me his phone number
and a napkin with my per job payment. I met him at the door before he even left the shop. I am
now the newest member of ____. And the best part…I make more money than I know what to
do with and I can do it all from the comfort of my slippers in my living room.