Organized crime is entering a new phase, fueled by artificial intelligence. Criminal networks are leveraging AI-driven scams, sophisticated payment systems, and generative AI tools to scale their operations globally, making them cheaper, more efficient, and harder to track, Europol warned in its latest European Serious Organised Crime Threat Assessment report.
The AI Advantage For Criminals
AI is revolutionizing cybercrime. Fraudsters can now craft compelling messages in multiple languages, deepfake identities with startling realism, and execute complex blackmail schemes with precision. The EU’s law enforcement agency highlights how generative AI is also being exploited to produce child sexual abuse material—an alarming development in the evolution of digital crime.
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“The very DNA of organized crime is changing. Criminal networks have evolved into global, technology-driven enterprises, exploiting digital platforms, illicit financial flows, and geopolitical instability to expand their reach,” said Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle.
Crime Moves Online—And AI Makes It Invisible
From recruitment and communications to financial transactions, every stage of criminal activity is shifting into the digital realm. Europol warns that AI’s accessibility, adaptability, and sophistication make it an ideal weapon for criminal enterprises. The technology automates and scales up illegal operations, making them more elusive than ever.
A particularly alarming possibility: fully autonomous AI-driven crime. Europol’s report cautions that AI systems capable of planning and executing tasks without human intervention could lead to the rise of entirely AI-controlled criminal networks, marking a dangerous shift in organized crime.
Law Enforcement Fights Back
Authorities are racing to keep up. In late February, Europol arrested two dozen individuals involved in distributing AI-generated child abuse images, one of the first major crackdowns on this new form of digital exploitation. The agency also flagged a legal grey area, as many countries lack legislation on AI-generated crimes.
In December, Europol dismantled MATRIX, an encrypted messaging platform used for international drug and arms trafficking—another reminder that criminals are embracing digital tools at an accelerating pace.
Europol identified cyberattacks, migrant smuggling, drug and firearms trafficking, and illegal waste management as the fastest-growing criminal threats across Europe. As AI technology continues to evolve, so too does the challenge of policing an increasingly digital underworld.
