Project Omega: an analysis of the connections between criminal networks, fraud, and welfare crime.

Research problem and specific questions: This part of Project Omega aims to map the connection between criminal networks and welfare crimes in Sweden. The project analyzes the link between violent and drug-related crime and crime related to welfare fraud and deception.

Based on this, the project will shed light on the structure and character of criminal networks with a particular focus on criminal economy, as well as investigate how welfare crimes and other frauds can be used to finance different forms of criminal activity.Data and method: The project is based on data from court cases that have used encrypted apps as evidence, providing a unique insight into the flow of information within criminal networks.

This data is used to understand the network structure.

Pre-trial investigation data is added to the structure to analyze the connections between violent and drug-related crimes, and crimes related to welfare and fraud.

Through primarily quantitative analysis, the project examines the borderland between these forms of criminality within the networks.Societal relevance and utilisation: Welfare crime and fraud directed against public institutions drain these of several billion every year. It affects a large part of the population and risks undermining citizens´ general trust in authorities.

This part of the Project Omega project aims to better understand the connections between the criminal economy and criminal networks, as well as their negative consequences for society.

The results can have practical significance by contributing knowledge that could strangle parts of the criminal economy that can, for instance, be used to finance weapons and drugs.

By better understanding the relationship between criminal networks and welfare crimes in Sweden, more effective strategies can be developed to prevent this type of crime.Plan for project realisation: The project participant will collaborate with researchers within the framework of Project Omega, which is a growing international project where information from the encrypted chats Encrochat, Anom, and SkyCC is analyzed.

The applicant will also participate in network meetings with experts on the subject of ´criminal economy´ and use the resources to pay for wages, materials (computer and literature costs), network meetings, and conference fees.