This time not a legal topic, but a more social one. This in response to Interpol's report dated 12 April last ("A corrupting influence: the infiltration and undermining of Europe's economy and society by organised crime"), which, among other things, describes the effects of the Covid-19 (corona) pandemic on international crime. The report clearly shows that (organised) crime has by no means been in a 'lockdown'. Crime appears to have adapted quickly to the new circumstances.

Corona measures drastically reduced the number of residential burglaries for obvious reasons. Demand for drugs, on the other hand, is said to have been volatile during the pandemic, which would have been reflected in the price, but trafficking did not come to a halt. Already, because of empty airports, less would have been smuggled via plane, but all the more via mail. The huge increase in mail parcel shipments has made control of contraband considerably more difficult.

It stands out how quickly criminals capitalised on the panic that was nonetheless prevalent among many people and agencies at the start of the pandemic. For instance, policy-makers in hospitals and clinics were tempted several times to buy -as it turned out later- non-working self-tests, worthless hand gels and unsafe mouth caps. Due to the scarcity of protective products and out of fear of missing the net, insufficient research was done on the materials when they were purchased. This has cost these institutions a lot of money.

There also appears to be a huge increase in trademark infringements. Much more counterfeit 'trademark' clothing was reportedly offered for sale online. Mouth caps too, for that matter, with counterfeit logos.

The corona crisis was accompanied by an economic crisis, including in the European context, which in turn led to an increase in certain forms of crime. Entrepreneurs in financial difficulties became more often dependent on criminal lenders, or they would have been bought out in appropriate cases, after which their businesses would have been misused for criminal purposes. The financial worries of many sports clubs in the lower echelons of football, makes them more vulnerable to matchfixers. The amounts speculated with are getting higher and higher.

Companies, whether in financial difficulties or not, looking to save on waste disposal costs seem to be more inclined to illegally dump waste during the crisis. This, partly prompted by a reduced number of inspections and controls. It was also easier to launder money with the pandemic financial crisis. Performance pressure at banks in times of crisis not infrequently comes at the expense of monitoring (questionable) transactions. Thereby, money laundering networks are nowadays highly professionalised.

Cybercrime is also said to have increased remarkably. Not only because of online scams, but also because of the increased vulnerability of companies and individuals to cyber attacks. In particular, because many individuals now connect with colleagues or (business) partners online via a telecommunications connection.

It can again be seen from the above that crime is often quicker to adapt to changes, than the police and judiciary. Also because the financial interests have now become gigantic.Those interests in turn also lead to concerns at Interpol, among others, about the increased interconnectedness between the underworld and the upper world. And so the cat and mouse game continues. But then hopefully soon in a world where Covid-19 has become quite manageable.

Mr D.M. Penn