How to guard against organised crime risks

UK business is at risk of being targeted and exploited by serious organised criminals, with the potential loss from fraud and money laundering alone running into billions of pounds every year.

The first step towards combating organised crime and reducing its impact on the UK is to understand the various threats involved.

• The Overseas Business Risk country pages include up-to-date information from our overseas network on organised crime in a wide range of markets.

• The UK’s Serious Organised Crime Agency, or SOCA works with the private sector to improve understanding of the threats faced by industry and shares information to help protect UK businesses. SOCA’s reach extends internationally.

• SOCA’s annual UK threat assessment from serious organised crime describes and weighs-up threats posed to the UK by serious organised criminals.

• This, along with further related information on protecting your business from organised crime, is available from the SOCA website.

SOCA can also advise you about reporting suspicious activities such as money-laundering or drug trafficking. SOCA can be contacted on 0370 496 7622.

Please note: SOCA does not have a public information line about its activities and it is not a crime-reporting agency.

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You can also call the UKTI enquiry line: +44 (0)20 7215 5000 or contact your local trade team and talk with one of UKTI’s country specialists. Or you can gain country specific information on our Overseas Business Risk country pages.