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Is your lifestyle funding organised crime? | Is your lifestyle funding organised crime? |
(32 minutes later) | |
When you think of organised crime, you may think of gun-toting balaclava men carrying out big money heists in the likes of Line of Duty. | When you think of organised crime, you may think of gun-toting balaclava men carrying out big money heists in the likes of Line of Duty. |
But there are more subtle ways it's sweeping through our lives without many of us realising. | But there are more subtle ways it's sweeping through our lives without many of us realising. |
The National Crime Agency (NCA) says the threat from criminal gangs is "staggering" and it needs extra cash to fight it. | The National Crime Agency (NCA) says the threat from criminal gangs is "staggering" and it needs extra cash to fight it. |
Illegal downloads, cheap pop-up nail bars and buying currency on games like Fortnite are just some of the ways criminals can make big money. | Illegal downloads, cheap pop-up nail bars and buying currency on games like Fortnite are just some of the ways criminals can make big money. |
'They're a lot cheaper' | 'They're a lot cheaper' |
Budget nail salons have sprung up across the UK over the past few years - and they're really popular. | Budget nail salons have sprung up across the UK over the past few years - and they're really popular. |
"They're a lot cheaper and sometimes I just want to have half an hour to not speak to anyone and have a pamper session," says Hayley Burgess, from Esher, Surrey. | "They're a lot cheaper and sometimes I just want to have half an hour to not speak to anyone and have a pamper session," says Hayley Burgess, from Esher, Surrey. |
"I guess them only taking cash has always miffed me - there's no card system. You have to go and get cash out." | "I guess them only taking cash has always miffed me - there's no card system. You have to go and get cash out." |
But behind the cheap prices and quick service there may be a criminal link. | But behind the cheap prices and quick service there may be a criminal link. |
Some nail salons are staffed by workers who have been trafficked into the UK by overseas gangs and then forced to work extreme hours. | Some nail salons are staffed by workers who have been trafficked into the UK by overseas gangs and then forced to work extreme hours. |
Criminologist Dr Anna Sergi says there are ways to tell which places may have dodgy connections. | Criminologist Dr Anna Sergi says there are ways to tell which places may have dodgy connections. |
"Look out for businesses that tend to pop out of nowhere and last six months and then close down - that's an indication of something shady going on. | "Look out for businesses that tend to pop out of nowhere and last six months and then close down - that's an indication of something shady going on. |
"The rejection of card payments or the ways in which receipts are given - these are all the kind of things that could somehow point out an issue." | "The rejection of card payments or the ways in which receipts are given - these are all the kind of things that could somehow point out an issue." |
Dr Sergi says things have changed as organised crime has become more widespread in the UK. | Dr Sergi says things have changed as organised crime has become more widespread in the UK. |
"We know this is now an issue affecting British citizens at the same time as other communities." | "We know this is now an issue affecting British citizens at the same time as other communities." |
Hayley says she'll now rethink her manicure habits. | Hayley says she'll now rethink her manicure habits. |
"I wouldn't ever want to be funding a crime so yeah - I'd potentially go to more expensive places. | "I wouldn't ever want to be funding a crime so yeah - I'd potentially go to more expensive places. |
"That's always a catch though, the money side. We're all on a budget." | "That's always a catch though, the money side. We're all on a budget." |
'Social media exposes people to risks' | 'Social media exposes people to risks' |
The huge surge in popularity of games like Fortnite can also help to fuel organised crime. | |
Black markets can be used to launder money through V-Bucks - the Fortnite currency. | Black markets can be used to launder money through V-Bucks - the Fortnite currency. |
Credit card details are stolen and then used to buy V-Bucks from the Fortnite store - before selling them on to players at a cheaper rate. | |
These scammers also often accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, making them even harder to track. | These scammers also often accept cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, making them even harder to track. |
Dr Sergi believes the age you are can affect whether you might unwittingly be affected. | Dr Sergi believes the age you are can affect whether you might unwittingly be affected. |
"Obviously, young generations are way more advanced than older generations with the use of the internet. | "Obviously, young generations are way more advanced than older generations with the use of the internet. |
"Communication through any social media exposes people to a number of risks, but younger generations don't flag them as risks because you can talk to anyone at any point in your day." | "Communication through any social media exposes people to a number of risks, but younger generations don't flag them as risks because you can talk to anyone at any point in your day." |
'Fuelling the black economy' | 'Fuelling the black economy' |
You might think it's harmless to stream Avengers: Endgame or Detective Pikachu so you don't have to pay cinema prices. | You might think it's harmless to stream Avengers: Endgame or Detective Pikachu so you don't have to pay cinema prices. |
But a 2017 report published by anti-piracy organisation FACT says by illegally downloading movies, music or software, you could be putting cash in the pockets of criminal gangs. | But a 2017 report published by anti-piracy organisation FACT says by illegally downloading movies, music or software, you could be putting cash in the pockets of criminal gangs. |
"People seem to think that because parts of the mainstream media don't see this as a big deal, that there's not organised crime behind the selling," says the Intellectual Property Office - the government department responsible for copyright and trademark issues. | "People seem to think that because parts of the mainstream media don't see this as a big deal, that there's not organised crime behind the selling," says the Intellectual Property Office - the government department responsible for copyright and trademark issues. |
"Time will reveal the tens of millions of pounds involved in these international networks, and the potentially crippling impact on creation in broadcasting." | "Time will reveal the tens of millions of pounds involved in these international networks, and the potentially crippling impact on creation in broadcasting." |
Criminal organisations mainly make money through advertising - the banner ads or pop-up windows that offer things such as betting and dating sites. | Criminal organisations mainly make money through advertising - the banner ads or pop-up windows that offer things such as betting and dating sites. |
Other ways they rake in the cash is through offering subscriptions or putting malware on the site - with allows them to hijack a user's computer. | |
"Downloading films may or may not be part of an organised crime scenario, but I do think it's a serious crime and it does fuel into the black economy," says Dr Sergi. | "Downloading films may or may not be part of an organised crime scenario, but I do think it's a serious crime and it does fuel into the black economy," says Dr Sergi. |
She says we normalise illegal downloading as though nothing really happens. | She says we normalise illegal downloading as though nothing really happens. |
"The lack of understanding around how downloading a movie or buying anything counterfeit - like a bag - is the effects are miniscule tears in the ocean, but they all amount to a massive loss to the economy." | "The lack of understanding around how downloading a movie or buying anything counterfeit - like a bag - is the effects are miniscule tears in the ocean, but they all amount to a massive loss to the economy." |
Dr Sergi tells Newsbeat we need to think past the typical stereotypes in the UK of what organised crime means. | Dr Sergi tells Newsbeat we need to think past the typical stereotypes in the UK of what organised crime means. |
"Organised crime happens to everyone everywhere. It's not about poverty, it's not about corrupted places elsewhere. It's about us here." | "Organised crime happens to everyone everywhere. It's not about poverty, it's not about corrupted places elsewhere. It's about us here." |
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. | Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. |
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. | Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. |