FOCUS on illegal business

Crime pays, as the saying goes. But is that really true? Yes, the potential profits are high, but so are the penalties. This is particularly true in drug trafficking. In their article, Professor Matthias Dewey and Alvaro Pastor describe how legal industries and technologies fuel illegal business and help drugs find their way from producers to consumers: from South America to Europe – but also vice versa.

Counterfeiting is also becoming an increasingly lucrative business, especially for luxury goods. Professor Markus Müller-Chen explains why this is the case. He outlines how manufacturers can defend themselves legally and what penalties are involved – even for unsuspicious buyers.

But what about criminals? Do they act rationally in an economic sense? Professor Nora Markwalder addresses these questions in her piece "Homo Economicus in Crime." She shows that there is a lot of truth in the saying “opportunity makes thieves.”

As Professor Peter Leibfried explains, accounting fraud often starts innocently enough. However, if the figures do not develop as hoped (and communicated), the use of "accounting policy leeway" can turn into outright fraud. In the end, all that remains is a pile of rubble, as in the case of René Benko's Signa Group or Wirecard.

But crime does not have it easy everywhere. The framework conditions vary greatly from country to country. How is the situation in Switzerland? Not so good, if journalist Henry Habegger is to be believed. He has been observing organised crime for years and writes about it regularly. While criminal gangs can count on the help of cunning lawyers and advisors, the authorities complain about a lack of resources and powers. His conclusion is that Swiss politicians need to do more to prevent the mafia and clans from spreading further.

We hope you enjoy reading HSG FOCUS and invite you to visit the platform regularly. In the coming weeks, you can look forward to further articles, all of which will focus on "criminal schemes". In addition, you will receive new tips on other interesting knowledge platforms almost daily. We also invite you to ask questions or make comments. The comment sections are open.