what is transnational crime

Transnational crime refers to criminal activities that have an actual or potential impact across national borders or that offend fundamental values of the international community. These crimes are not only international, but also involve cross-border transference as an essential part of the criminal activity. They include offenses such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, smuggling, illegal logging, illegal mining, and cybercrime. Transnational organized crime encompasses virtually all serious profit-motivated criminal actions of an international nature where more than one country is involved. It is an illicit business that transcends cultural, social, linguistic, and geographical boundaries and knows no borders or rules. Transnational crimes can be grouped into three broad categories: provision of illicit goods, illicit services, and infiltration of business and government affecting multiple countries. Examples of transnational crimes include drug trafficking, smuggling of migrants, human trafficking, money laundering, trafficking in firearms, counterfeit goods, wildlife and cultural property, and some aspects of cybercrime. These crimes take advantage of globalization, trade liberalization, and new technologies to perpetrate diverse crimes and to move money, goods, services, and people instantaneously for purposes of perpetrating violence for political ends.