Types of Crime and Investigations

Organised Crime

Organised Crime (OC) stands for groups (criminal associations pursuant to section 278 of the Austrian Penal Code and criminal organisations pursuant to section 278a of the Austrian Penal Code) that are very well organised and pursue their criminal goals systematically and persistently in order to obtain power and more importantly, large wealth.

Criminal investigation focuses on the fight against international serious and organised crime. The aim is to expose and uncover criminal networks as they begin to form, and to dismantle them by cooperating with law enforcement authorities at national and international level.

In recent years, an increase in activities by outlaw motorcycle gangs has been noticed. Organised crime committed by Syrian and Iraqi suspects is mostly related to procurement and smuggling of people who want to leave their countries. Some Afghan nationals have engaged in drug trafficking, protection racketeering and street robbery activities, and are increasingly operating in small gangs. Another increase has been seen in doping and pharmaceutical crime.

In Austria, there have been efforts to fight betting fraud and match fixing by implementing the Austrian platform “Play Fair Code”, in line with the EU Council’s targets and by intensifying the cooperation with international players.

To fight organised vehicle theft, Criminal Intelligence Service Austria introduced a competence centre acting at national and international level.