Gangs and Organised Crime 3.17 The high level of gang and organised crime violence, with youth disproportionately involved both as victims and perpetrators, is extremely worrying. Violent clashes and retaliations between criminal gangs cause serious danger to innocent bystanders and undermine public order. 3.18 There are important differences in the structure and operations of gangs and organized crime groups within CARICOM. Some are local gangs, although they may have significant presence and be responsible for the majority of the crimes in certain areas in Member States. There are also sophisticated international criminal organisations, with presence in more than one State. It is the latter that typically rely more on facilitators to move and conceal the proceeds of crime. 3.19 Many of these criminal structures are connected. Local gangs are utilised in the transnational organised criminal networks for the distribution of drugs, and are key actors in the proliferation of guns. Gangs and organised crime groups are increasingly diversifying into a much broader spectrum of criminal activities, such as cigarette smuggling and the Lotto scam (in Jamaica). Cyber-crime 3.20 Human health and welfare has been transformed as a result of technological progress. The Region’s economic prosperity, the daily functioning of governments and citizens are becoming increasingly dependent on electronic networks and information systems. Technology is therefore vital to the Region’s development, but it has also given leverage to cyber criminals. 3.21 As the Region becomes more interconnected through the increased levels of connectivity and advanced internet infrastructure, increased numbers of internet users, increased use of internet payments, and convergence of systems, CARICOM is becoming more susceptible to potentially damaging cyber-attacks. Cybercrime Cyber-crime can involve hacking, embezzlement, fraud, phishing (fake websites to solicit passwords enabling access to victims' bank accounts and personal information), cyber-stalking or cyber-harassment, and the distribution of child pornography and other illegal activities over the internet. 3.22 The Region’s lack of resources and trained personnel places the Region at particular threat in this area compared to other jurisdiction. The gap in cyber regulatory systems and enforcement mechanisms provides a permissive and fertile ground for criminals. 3.23 Internet fraud, such as the Lotto scan in Jamaica, is already well established in the Region. This has allowed criminal syndicates in Jamaica to defraud citizens of other countries of significant sums; estimates range as high as US$300 million per annum (Jamaica National Security Policy, 2012). At present most cybercrimes are based in countries outside the Region, but there is clear potential for the Caribbean to emerge as an international base. 26