Continuation of previous message!
Stealing Russia Blind
These groups use the banks to launder money and avoid paying the taxes desperately needed by the government to pay salaries and debts.
By now, the FBI estimates that Russian mafiosi may have control of banks in Cyprus and Antigua. In the last year, five Russian-owned banks opened branches on the Caribbean island of Aruba.
Russian Crime Groups in the U.S.
"From these locations they electronically launder large amounts of cash around the world," the FBI said, noting that the men in charge routinely resort to violence to defend their interests.
"This transnational banking activity has been accompanied by a high level of violence directed against senior banking officials in Russia."
In fact, the bureau noted that these days a Russian banker has the life expectancy of a bomb-disposal specialist.
The West Shares The Blame
The West, says Viano, is partly responsible. He believes the huge International Monetary Fund loans to Russia are often mismanaged and diverted by the criminals controlling the banks.
"The minimum we can do is just stop making huge loans to Russia," argues Viano. "What we are doing at this point is to feed the monsters, since all this aid is being siphoned off by organized crime."
The disturbing news doesn't stop there. The report also recounts that many of the highly trained professionals in the Russian Special Forces (and some of those who have mustered out) have been recruited by the Russian Mafia.
These tough soldiers, many of them combat veterans, then act as private bodyguards, hit men, debt collectors and security guards for illegal smuggling. The high pay for this "unofficial" work is especially appealing to many soldiers whose regular military wages remain unpaid due to the economic crisis.
The bad news goes on and on.
Empires of Crime
While the state seems to be losing its power to cope, the FBI says, Russian organized crime groups have been building their empires vigorously.
Reports say they are recruiting experts in computer software, international law and finance, intelligence gathering, corporate security, international banking, casino gaming operations and hotel and restaurant management.
In the face of information like this, Viano says, the international community's first step is simple.
"Address the truth," he says. "Organized crime is basically controlling that country." |
