Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. As an enabler for crime and terrorism, corruption constitutes a threat to security.
It is detrimental to economic growth as it creates business uncertainty and imposes additional costs. Corruption also undermines the effective running of state institutions and negatively impacts citizens’ interactions with their governments and civil societies.
Almost 60 % of criminal networks engage in corruption in one form or another.
- Corruption is an integral element of almost every organised crime activity. It takes place at all levels of society and can range from petty bribery to complex multi-million euro corruption schemes.
- Many criminals use corruption only occasionally, but a smaller proportion of criminal networks engage in frequent and proactive corruption targeting public servants or specific sectors as an intrinsic part of their business strategy.
- It is used to gain influence and to infiltrate private and public sector organisations. Criminals use corruption in some sectors of critical importance to Member States, such as healthcare and pharmaceuticals, transportation, construction, tourism, education and research, waste management, aerospace and defence, agriculture, and labour and social protection.
Key actors
- Complicit legal and financial advisors as well as lawyers and notaries provide information to criminals on police records and criminal proceedings and assist in setting up fraud schemes and networks of companies to acquire and launder money. They provide advice in setting up shell companies, foundations, trusts and also sometimes facilitate the takeover of legitimate companies to be used for criminal ends.
- When genuine, they can be important partners in the fight against organised crime.
Insidious and invisible
- Though widespread, corruption is insidious and often invisible. Presumed chronic under-reporting of corruption makes it difficult to evaluate the phenomenon as a criminal threat.
- The underlying mechanics of corruption have not changed over time. However, the means by which it is implemented reflects changes in technology and society. For instance, cryptocurrencies are increasingly used to make payments to corrupt officials and for money-laundering purposes. In addition, the digitalisation of public administration will lead to the increased targeting of individuals within companies and public services who can manipulate processes and decisions in digital systems or can otherwise facilitate access to valuable information.
Updates on Corruption
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