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AIC research estimates costs of serious and organised crime to Australia

Link to: The costs of serious and organised crime in Australia, 2023–24

The Australian Institute of Criminology has released a new Statistical Report on the costs of serious and organised crime in Australia.

Serious and organised crime was estimated to cost Australia between $35.5b and $82.3b in 2023–24. The upper estimate for 2023–24 represents 3.2 percent of Australia’s gross domestic product.
This estimate includes the direct and consequential costs of serious and organised crime in Australia (up to $58.9b) and the indirect costs of preventing and responding to serious and organised crime incurred by government entities, businesses and individuals (up to $23.4b).
Illicit drugs were the most costly crime type, accounting for 39.5 percent ($19.0b) of the direct costs attributable to serious and organised crime, followed by organised financial crime (27.6%, $13.2b) and other illicit commodities (18.0%, $8.6b). The most costly illicit commodity after drugs was illicit tobacco, which cost Australia $4.0b in 2023–24, a significant increase on previous years.

These figures represent the substantial and pervasive economic impact of serious and organised crime on Australia.

AIC research examines experiences of children using dating apps and other adult platforms

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AIC research examines experiences of children using dating apps and other adult platforms

Link to: Underage use of adult-based platforms: Risks and experiences

This study by Flinders University interviewed participants aged 18 to 21 years about their previous risk-taking experiences as children on adult-based platforms (dating apps, remunerative matchmaking services, subscription platforms, fetish communities):

Children are exposed to risk both online and offline as a result of using adult-based platforms—including inappropriate or illegal conversations involving sexting and activities such as drug use.
Some participants reported engaging in similar risk-taking experiences outside of adult-based platforms.
Future research addressing harm mitigation and preventative measures could assist in lessening children’s access to these platforms.

Read the AIC media release.

AIC research examines ransomware affecting individuals and small businesses

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AIC research examines ransomware affecting individuals and small businesses

Link to: Ransomware targeting individuals and small businesses: Vulnerabilities and impacts

The Australian Institute of Criminology has released a new paper on ransomware targeting individuals and small businesses based on a survey of 331 Australian individuals and small to medium enterprise (SME) owners who were victims of ransomware.

Most ransomware victims had received multiple ransom messages in the past 12 months. SME owners were more likely to have received multiple messages and to have previously paid a ransom.
SME owners reported impacts on many devices, which were more likely to have been a work-issued device or a personal device used for work. SME owners were also more likely than other victims to report that the ransomware had spread to other workplace devices, systems or email accounts.
The results highlight the importance of discouraging SME owners from making ransom payments to reduce the risk of repeat victimisation, and the need for technological solutions to protect business owners from ransomware and its harmful effects.

Media

For media enquiries related to this report, or requests for interviews, please reach out to AIC Media.
Email: media@acic.gov.au
Phone: 02 6268 7343

https://www.aic.gov.au/about-us/web-privacy-policy-summary

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AIC research estimates costs of serious and organised crime to Australia

AIC research examines experiences of children using dating apps and other adult platforms

AIC research examines ransomware affecting individuals and small businesses