Criminal networks infiltrating Norwegian business sector, warns Økokrim
Økokrim's threat assessment for 2026 concludes that criminal networks are increasingly establishing themselves in legitimate Norwegian business. The networks seek areas where state control is weakest.
Økokrim: Criminal networks gaining entry into legitimate businesses
Criminal networks have entrenched themselves in several Norwegian industries, according to reports by ba.no citing Økokrim's threat assessment for 2026. The networks primarily operate where government oversight is weakest.
The threat assessment concludes that criminal networks are more involved in economic crime than previously, and that infiltration of the legitimate business sector is a central part of the strategy for several such networks.
"We expect that more industries will be infiltrated by criminals in the years ahead. Both public and private sector enterprises could become subject to this," says Pål Lønseth, head of Økokrim.
Lønseth points particularly to the use of insider actors as an effective tool for organised crime. Such actors can facilitate breaches of the law knowingly, under pressure or threats — or without being aware of it themselves.
"Corruption and the use of insiders in both the public and private sector is an important component of organised crime and an easy tool for criminals," says Lønseth.
According to Økokrim, front men and shell companies are used to conceal who actually controls a given enterprise.
Source: Google News DK — Crime (da)