The growth of international organised crime has been facilitated by numerous factors, including the burgeoning global economy and the establishment of worldwide financial markets. The free movement of goods, services and people, essential to legitimate commerce, has also enabled international crime gangs to flourish.

The international nature of organised crime poses problems for both commerce and investigators alike. The music industry, like other industries in the intellectual property sector, is targeted by criminals who use the profits from piracy to fund diverse illicit activities. Evidence is available, and case studies in this leaflet demonstrate, the connections between music piracy and other crimes, such as people trafficking, money laundering, violence, drug smuggling and terrorism.