NewzIntel.com

Category: Crime

  • MIL-OSI Security: Previously deported Mexican national sentenced to 262 months for methamphetamine distribution, second Mexican national sentenced to 168 months

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    TYLER, Texas – Two Mexican nationals were sentenced to lengthy federal prison sentences for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

    Leopoldo Alonso-Palacios, 38, and Juan Luis Salinas-Leon, 37, both Mexican nationals illegally living in Center, were sentenced to 168 months and 262 months, respectively, by U.S. District Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle on June 23, 2025.

    According to information presented in court, on March 4, 2025, Alonso-Palacios and Salinas-Leon were stopped while driving on Interstate-20 in Wills Point for speeding.  During the stop, they consented to a search of the vehicle, which resulted in the discovery of 937.7 grams of methamphetamine.  During his arrest, officers found Salinas-Leon in possession of a firearm. The two men then confessed to having additional methamphetamine at their homes in Center.  Federal agents searched the residences, where they discovered large plastic tubs containing chicken lard that tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine, along with paraphernalia such as metal pots and mesh screens, materials commonly used in a methamphetamine conversion lab. At such clandestine labs, methamphetamine concealed in other substances is extracted by applying chemical processes and reconstituted into distributable drugs. In total, agents recovered more than six kilograms of methamphetamine ready for distribution as well as 22 kilograms of liquids in various stages of the conversion process, which also tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.

    Immigration records reveal that both men were unlawfully present in the United States and that Salinas-Leon has been previously prosecuted for illegally entering the country.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive; Gregg County Sheriff’s Office; and Wills Point Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucas Machicek.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Stoke-on-Trent under the spotlight at Centenary Heritage Festival

    Source: City of Stoke-on-Trent

    Published: Tuesday, 24th June 2025

    A ceramic symposium, a Northern Soul exhibition and new heritage events will feature in a jam-packed festival which will shine a spotlight on Stoke-on-Trent’s past, present and future.

    The Stoke-on-Trent 100: Heritage Festival for the Centenary, which is being jointly organised by the city council and key partners, is launching in 2025 – as the city celebrates 100 years since receiving official city status.

    It follows a successful bid for £186,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

    Between now and March 2026, 17 heritage projects will be taking place which will highlight Stoke-on-Trent’s World Craft City status, showcase the work which has been delivered through the Living Heritage City initiative, and outline the city’s ambitions for heritage in the future.

    Councillor Lyn Sharpe, Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s heritage champion, said: “Anyone who knows me knows I love Stoke-on-Trent – so it’s great to be able to celebrate our heritage during our Centenary year and beyond.

    “There’s loads of different events taking place across the city throughout 2025 and there’s something for everyone.

    “So, keep your eyes peeled for more information about the events in the coming months.”

    Projects include:

    • A two-day Ceramic Symposium curated by Professor Neil Brownsword and Dr Alasdair Brooks of Re-Form Heritage at Jubilee Hall
    • A photographic exhibition showcasing the city and its people over the last century with a series of historical walking tours at Stoke Minster
    • An audio documentary exhibition at Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station highlighting the city’s role in the Northern Soul movement
    • The creation of new heritage based performance pieces and
    • The development of new family-friendly workshops at Ford Green Hall

    Lynne Ball, Chair of the Heritage Network for Stoke-on-Trent, said: “The Heritage Network for Stoke-on-Trent brings together heritage groups and the owners of heritage sites across the city to work together and learn from each other.

    “The Heritage Open Days festival in September provides a unique opportunity to highlight the heritage of The Potteries and provide free access to historic sites and special events.

    “Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for this support, which will build significantly upon our local success, involving more organisations, hosting more events and attracting more visitors to help celebrate our city’s centenary year.”

    For more information about the city’s Centenary celebrations, visit www.sot100.org.

    The full list of events which are taking place as part of the Stoke-on-Trent 100: A Heritage Festival for the Centenary are:

    • A two-day Ceramic Symposium curated by Professor Neil Brownsword and Dr Alasdair Brooks at Jubilee Hall. This will be linked to a co-curated exhibition on ceramic collections from Jingdezhen (China) and Spode Museum.
    • A recollecting of canal heritage through the creation of an original piece of promenade theatre, devised and researched together with community groups, and performed in a heritage venue.
    • A reshowing of Sam Ivin’s ‘Settling Project’, which navigates the topic of human migration to Stoke-on-Trent
    • An event at the Victoria Hall showcasing the musical work of schools celebrating the heritage of their communities
    • A commemoration of the Abolition of the Slave Trade and impact for inland populations with Kwanzaa Collective
    • A photographic exhibition showcasing the city and its people over the last century, aligned with a series of historical walking tours around Stoke Minster and the surrounding area.
    • An exhibition at Stoke-on-Trent Railway Station, relating to the city’s role in the Northern Soul movement
    • The creation of new performance pieces animating the route of the new Living Heritage City Pilot Route by FRONTLINE Dance
    • The development of a series of podcasts celebrating Stoke-on-Trent’s Centenary by All the Small Things CIC
    • The development of new family history workshops at Ford Green Hall – documenting the Hall’s historical connections to the surrounding nature reserves
    • An event at Etruria Industrial Museum, exploring the changes in energy use across the last century
    • A new space for exhibitions within The Dudson Museum/Centre for the Arnold Bennett Society.
    • Events, open days and workshops devised by Re-Form Heritage, showcasing the current Heritage Development programme across the city and the part Middleport Pottery has played in Stoke-on-Trent’s history. Including open days at Bethesda Methodist Chapel.
    • Operational support for the Heritage Open Days programme
    • Walks and paddling events devised by Canal and River Trust at Harecastle Tunnel, celebrating the role of canals in Stoke-on-Trent, encouraging community use and raising environmental awareness
    • Celebratory events at Gladstone Pottery Museum

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. International Transactions, 1st Quarter 2025 and Annual Update

    Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

    Current-Account Deficit Widened by 44.3 Percent in the First Quarter

    Current-Account Balance (Table 1 and Chart 1)

    The U.S. current-account deficit, which reflects the combined balances on trade in goods and services and income flows between U.S. residents and residents of other countries, widened by $138.2 billion, or 44.3 percent, to $450.2 billion in the first quarter of 2025, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The revised fourth-quarter deficit was $312.0 billion (table A).

    The first-quarter deficit was 6.0 percent of current-dollar gross domestic product, up from 4.2 percent in the fourth quarter.

    The $138.2 billion widening of the current-account deficit in the first quarter mostly reflected an expanded deficit on goods.

    Current-Account Transactions (tables 1–5 and chart 2)

    Exports of goods and services to, and income received from, foreign residents decreased $3.9 billion to $1.24 trillion in the first quarter. Imports of goods and services from, and income paid to, foreign residents increased $134.3 billion to $1.69 trillion.1

    Trade in goods (table 2)

    Exports of goods increased $21.1 billion to $539.0 billion, and imports of goods increased $158.2 billion to $1.00 trillion. The increase in exports was led by capital goods, mainly civilian aircraft and computer accessories, peripherals, and parts. The increase in imports was led by nonmonetary gold and consumer goods, mostly medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical products (see “Additional Information” for a definition of nonmonetary gold under “Goods”).

    Trade in services (table 3)

    Exports of services decreased $4.4 billion to $293.2 billion, reflecting decreases in government goods and services, mostly military units and agencies, in travel, mostly “other personal travel,” and in “other business services,” mainly professional and management consulting services. These decreases were partly offset by an increase in maintenance and repair services. Imports of services decreased $1.8 billion to $217.8 billion, reflecting a decrease in charges for the use of intellectual property, mostly licenses for the use of outcomes of research and development.

    Primary income (table 4)

    Receipts of primary income decreased $22.9 billion to $355.1 billion, and payments of primary income decreased $13.7 billion to $362.7 billion. The decreases in both receipts and payments reflected a decrease in direct investment income, mostly earnings.

    Secondary income (table 5)

    Receipts of secondary income increased $2.3 billion to $49.6 billion, reflecting an increase in private transfers, primarily fines and penalties. Payments of secondary income decreased $8.4 billion to $101.5 billion, reflecting a decrease in general government transfers, primarily international cooperation.

    Capital-Account Transactions (table 1)

    Capital-transfer receipts decreased $2.4 billion to $8.9 billion in the first quarter. The decrease reflected first-quarter receipts from foreign insurance companies for losses resulting from wildfires in Southern California that were lower than fourth-quarter receipts for losses resulting from Hurricane Milton. For information on transactions associated with hurricanes and other disasters, see “How do losses recovered from foreign insurance companies following natural or man-made disasters affect foreign transactions, the current account balance, and net lending or net borrowing?”. Capital-transfer payments increased $0.5 billion to $2.0 billion.

    Financial-Account Transactions (tables 1, 6, 7, and 8 and chart 3)

    Net financial-account transactions were −$299.5 billion in the first quarter, reflecting net U.S. borrowing from foreign residents.

    Financial assets (tables 1, 6, 7, and 8)

    First-quarter transactions increased U.S. residents’ foreign financial assets by $524.9 billion. Transactions increased “other investment assets,” mostly short-term loans, by $328.2 billion; portfolio investment assets, mostly debt securities, by $128.4 billion; direct investment assets, mostly equity, by $66.8 billion; and reserve assets by $1.5 billion.

    Liabilities (tables 1, 6, 7, and 8)

    First-quarter transactions increased U.S. liabilities to foreign residents by $843.7 billion. Transactions increased portfolio investment liabilities, mostly long-term debt securities, by $429.9 billion; “other investment liabilities,” mainly short-term deposits and loans, by $358.9 billion; and direct investment liabilities, mostly equity, by $54.9 billion.

    Financial derivatives (table 1)

    Net transactions in financial derivatives were $19.3 billion in the first quarter, reflecting net U.S. lending to foreign residents.

      

    Table A. Updates to Fourth-Quarter 2024 International Transactions Accounts Balances

    [Billions of dollars, seasonally adjusted]
      Preliminary estimates Revised estimates
    Current-account balance –303.9 −312.0
        Goods balance −326.1 −328.9
        Services balance 76.1 78.0
        Primary income balance 2.3 1.6
        Secondary income balance −56.2 −62.6
    Net financial-account transactions −385.3 −350.8
    U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

    Annual Update of the U.S. International Transactions Accounts

    The statistics in this release reflect the annual update of the U.S. International Transactions Accounts. With this update, BEA has incorporated newly available and revised source data and recalculated seasonal and trading-day adjustments beginning with 2018. This annual update also reflects the incorporation of (1) BEA’s 2022 Benchmark Survey of Transactions in Selected Services and Intellectual Property With Foreign Persons, (2) a new balance of payments adjustment to exports of goods to redistribute estimates for late receipts for Canada from “other goods” to detailed commodities, (3) a new method for estimating other investment assets and other investment liabilities transactions by maturity, and (4) new statistics for transactions, income, and positions related to a repurchase agreement facility for foreign and international monetary authorities. A summary of the revisions to high-level aggregates is shown in table 9.

    Table B. Newly Available and Revised Source Data: Key Providers and Years Affected

    Agency Data Years affected
    U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Quarterly and benchmark international trade in services surveys 2018–2024
    Annual and quarterly direct investment surveys 2022–2024
    U.S. Census Bureau Revised source data for international trade in goods 2022–2024
    U.S. Department of the Treasury Quarterly and monthly portfolio and other investment surveys 2022–2024
    Benchmark and quarterly portfolio investment surveys 2023–2024
    U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

    More information on the annual update is available in “Preview of the 2025 Annual Update of the International Economic Accounts” in the Survey of Current Business. Additional information will be provided in the Survey in July 2025. U.S. International Economic Accounts: Concepts and Methods will be updated in September 2025 accordingly.

    For resources, definitions, and more, visit “Additional Information.”

    Next release: September 23, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. EDT
    U.S. International Transactions, 2nd Quarter 2025

    1 U.S. international transactions are presented in current dollars in accordance with international statistical presentation guidelines. For a comparison of current-dollar, or nominal, and inflation-adjusted, or real, measures of international transactions, see “SECTION 4 – FOREIGN TRANSACTIONS” of the National Income and Product Accounts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. International Transactions, 1st Quarter 2025 and Annual Update

    Source: US Bureau of Economic Analysis

    Current-Account Deficit Widened by 44.3 Percent in the First Quarter

    Current-Account Balance (Table 1 and Chart 1)

    The U.S. current-account deficit, which reflects the combined balances on trade in goods and services and income flows between U.S. residents and residents of other countries, widened by $138.2 billion, or 44.3 percent, to $450.2 billion in the first quarter of 2025, according to statistics released today by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The revised fourth-quarter deficit was $312.0 billion (table A).

    The first-quarter deficit was 6.0 percent of current-dollar gross domestic product, up from 4.2 percent in the fourth quarter.

    The $138.2 billion widening of the current-account deficit in the first quarter mostly reflected an expanded deficit on goods.

    Current-Account Transactions (tables 1–5 and chart 2)

    Exports of goods and services to, and income received from, foreign residents decreased $3.9 billion to $1.24 trillion in the first quarter. Imports of goods and services from, and income paid to, foreign residents increased $134.3 billion to $1.69 trillion.1

    Trade in goods (table 2)

    Exports of goods increased $21.1 billion to $539.0 billion, and imports of goods increased $158.2 billion to $1.00 trillion. The increase in exports was led by capital goods, mainly civilian aircraft and computer accessories, peripherals, and parts. The increase in imports was led by nonmonetary gold and consumer goods, mostly medicinal, dental, and pharmaceutical products (see “Additional Information” for a definition of nonmonetary gold under “Goods”).

    Trade in services (table 3)

    Exports of services decreased $4.4 billion to $293.2 billion, reflecting decreases in government goods and services, mostly military units and agencies, in travel, mostly “other personal travel,” and in “other business services,” mainly professional and management consulting services. These decreases were partly offset by an increase in maintenance and repair services. Imports of services decreased $1.8 billion to $217.8 billion, reflecting a decrease in charges for the use of intellectual property, mostly licenses for the use of outcomes of research and development.

    Primary income (table 4)

    Receipts of primary income decreased $22.9 billion to $355.1 billion, and payments of primary income decreased $13.7 billion to $362.7 billion. The decreases in both receipts and payments reflected a decrease in direct investment income, mostly earnings.

    Secondary income (table 5)

    Receipts of secondary income increased $2.3 billion to $49.6 billion, reflecting an increase in private transfers, primarily fines and penalties. Payments of secondary income decreased $8.4 billion to $101.5 billion, reflecting a decrease in general government transfers, primarily international cooperation.

    Capital-Account Transactions (table 1)

    Capital-transfer receipts decreased $2.4 billion to $8.9 billion in the first quarter. The decrease reflected first-quarter receipts from foreign insurance companies for losses resulting from wildfires in Southern California that were lower than fourth-quarter receipts for losses resulting from Hurricane Milton. For information on transactions associated with hurricanes and other disasters, see “How do losses recovered from foreign insurance companies following natural or man-made disasters affect foreign transactions, the current account balance, and net lending or net borrowing?”. Capital-transfer payments increased $0.5 billion to $2.0 billion.

    Financial-Account Transactions (tables 1, 6, 7, and 8 and chart 3)

    Net financial-account transactions were −$299.5 billion in the first quarter, reflecting net U.S. borrowing from foreign residents.

    Financial assets (tables 1, 6, 7, and 8)

    First-quarter transactions increased U.S. residents’ foreign financial assets by $524.9 billion. Transactions increased “other investment assets,” mostly short-term loans, by $328.2 billion; portfolio investment assets, mostly debt securities, by $128.4 billion; direct investment assets, mostly equity, by $66.8 billion; and reserve assets by $1.5 billion.

    Liabilities (tables 1, 6, 7, and 8)

    First-quarter transactions increased U.S. liabilities to foreign residents by $843.7 billion. Transactions increased portfolio investment liabilities, mostly long-term debt securities, by $429.9 billion; “other investment liabilities,” mainly short-term deposits and loans, by $358.9 billion; and direct investment liabilities, mostly equity, by $54.9 billion.

    Financial derivatives (table 1)

    Net transactions in financial derivatives were $19.3 billion in the first quarter, reflecting net U.S. lending to foreign residents.

      

    Table A. Updates to Fourth-Quarter 2024 International Transactions Accounts Balances

    [Billions of dollars, seasonally adjusted]
      Preliminary estimates Revised estimates
    Current-account balance –303.9 −312.0
        Goods balance −326.1 −328.9
        Services balance 76.1 78.0
        Primary income balance 2.3 1.6
        Secondary income balance −56.2 −62.6
    Net financial-account transactions −385.3 −350.8
    U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

    Annual Update of the U.S. International Transactions Accounts

    The statistics in this release reflect the annual update of the U.S. International Transactions Accounts. With this update, BEA has incorporated newly available and revised source data and recalculated seasonal and trading-day adjustments beginning with 2018. This annual update also reflects the incorporation of (1) BEA’s 2022 Benchmark Survey of Transactions in Selected Services and Intellectual Property With Foreign Persons, (2) a new balance of payments adjustment to exports of goods to redistribute estimates for late receipts for Canada from “other goods” to detailed commodities, (3) a new method for estimating other investment assets and other investment liabilities transactions by maturity, and (4) new statistics for transactions, income, and positions related to a repurchase agreement facility for foreign and international monetary authorities. A summary of the revisions to high-level aggregates is shown in table 9.

    Table B. Newly Available and Revised Source Data: Key Providers and Years Affected

    Agency Data Years affected
    U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Quarterly and benchmark international trade in services surveys 2018–2024
    Annual and quarterly direct investment surveys 2022–2024
    U.S. Census Bureau Revised source data for international trade in goods 2022–2024
    U.S. Department of the Treasury Quarterly and monthly portfolio and other investment surveys 2022–2024
    Benchmark and quarterly portfolio investment surveys 2023–2024
    U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis

    More information on the annual update is available in “Preview of the 2025 Annual Update of the International Economic Accounts” in the Survey of Current Business. Additional information will be provided in the Survey in July 2025. U.S. International Economic Accounts: Concepts and Methods will be updated in September 2025 accordingly.

    For resources, definitions, and more, visit “Additional Information.”

    Next release: September 23, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. EDT
    U.S. International Transactions, 2nd Quarter 2025

    1 U.S. international transactions are presented in current dollars in accordance with international statistical presentation guidelines. For a comparison of current-dollar, or nominal, and inflation-adjusted, or real, measures of international transactions, see “SECTION 4 – FOREIGN TRANSACTIONS” of the National Income and Product Accounts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mozambique: Armed Group’s Child Abductions Surge in North


    Download logo

    An armed group linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) has ramped up abductions of children in northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, Human Rights Watch said today. Most of the abducted children are being used for transporting looted goods, forced labor, forced marriages, and taking part in the fighting.

    National civil society groups and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report that such kidnappings are on the rise. While the armed group, locally known as Al-Shabab, released some of the children they abducted earlier this year, a number of children remain missing; those who have returned to their communities struggle with reintegration. 

    “The surge in abductions of children in Cabo Delgado adds to the horrors of Mozambique’s conflict,” said Ashwanee Budoo-Scholtz, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “Al-Shabab needs to spare children from the conflict and immediately release those who have been abducted.”

    In May and June 2025, Human Rights Watch interviewed nine people in Mozambique, including residents of Cabo Delgado, journalists, civil society activists, and a UN official, all of whom expressed concern about the resurgence of kidnappings. “In recent days, 120 or more children have been abducted,” said Abudo Gafuro, executive director at Kwendeleya, a national organization that monitors attacks and provides support to victims. 

    On January 23, 2025, Al-Shabab attacked the village of Mumu, in Mocímboa da Praia district, and abducted four girls and three boys. During Al-Shabab’s subsequent retreat, two children were released, but five remain missing. In March, the armed group abducted six children in Chibau to carry looted goods; four were released the following day. On May 3, Al-Shabab abducted a girl in the village of Ntotwe, Mocímboa da Praia district; on May 11, they kidnapped six girls and two boys near Magaia village in Muidumbe district. 

    When Al-Shabab fighters “enter or attack certain areas, they tend to abduct children,” said Augusta Iaquite, coordinator at the Association of Women in Legal Careers in Cabo Delgado. “They take them to train them and later turn them into their own fighters.” 

    When children who have been abducted return to the community, there are few resources to help them reintegrate, Human Rights Watch said. “The country needs a clear strategy on what to do when a child, especially one that has been rescued, returns,” said Benilde Nhalivilo, executive director at the Civil Society Forum for Children’s Rights. 

    Civil society organizations have called on Mozambique’s government to fulfill the country’s obligations under domestic and international law to protect the nation’s children. 

    Mozambique’s Constitution and the 2008 Law for the Promotion and Protection of Children’s Rights enshrine the state’s duty to protect children from all forms of violence, exploitation, and abuse. Additionally, Mozambique is a party to various international and regional instruments that guarantee children’s rights, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Both explicitly prohibit the abduction, recruitment, and exploitation of children. The UN Optional Protocol to the Child Rights Convention on the involvement of children in armed conflict, ratified by Mozambique in 2004, prohibits non-state armed groups from recruiting or using children under 18. 

    Under customary international humanitarian law and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, children are entitled to special respect and protection, and recruiting or using children under the age of 15 to participate actively in hostilities is a war crime. 

    Mozambican authorities should seek to prevent further abductions, investigate existing cases and fairly prosecute those responsible, and ensure proper support for victims, Human Rights Watch said. Rescued children need medical care, psychosocial assistance, and reintegration mechanisms that provide for their protection and well-being.

    “Mozambique’s government needs to take concrete actions to safeguard children and prevent armed groups from using them as tools of conflict,” Budoo-Scholtz said. “There is a need to ensure that there are robust reintegration measures so that the children are not further ostracized when they come back to the community.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £1.6m lost to gig ticket scams as public urged to take caution

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    £1.6m lost to gig ticket scams as public urged to take caution

    Gig-goers have been urged to be wary of scams when purchasing last-minute tickets on social media after £1.6 million was lost to ticket fraud in 2024.

    Photo: Getty Images

    On the eve of Glastonbury, British music lovers are being urged to take caution over last-minute tickets for sale on social media, after new figures revealed that the amount lost to ticket fraud more than doubled to £1.6m in 2024.

    The government has issued the warning as part of its wider crackdown on scammers and online fraud, designed to ensure money is kept in working people’s pockets, as part of the Plan for Change.

    With a host of tours and festivals due to take place this summer, including the Oasis reunion tour kicking off in July, new Action Fraud data released by the Home Office today finds the public lost more than £1.6 million in scams related to concert tickets in 2024 – more than double the figure from the previous year.

    Around 3,700 gig ticket fraud reports were made to Action Fraud in 2024, with almost half of them referring to offers made on social media platforms. The government has called on tech companies to go further and faster to protect the public from the fraudulent offers being advertised on their platforms.

    The data shows that people in their twenties were most likely to become victims of ticket fraud last year, accounting for 27% of all victims, and the government has urged people to follow the government’s Stop! Think Fraud campaign advice to ensure they are protected from scams ahead of a busy summer of gigs and festivals.

    1. If you’re offered tickets for something in high demand don’t let the fear of missing out rush your decision. Take a moment to stop, think, and check if the offer is genuine.
    2. Only buy tickets from the venue’s box office or an official ticketing website.
    3. Never move away from an official payment platform to make a direct payment via bank transfer or virtual currency. Use the site’s recommended payment methods to stay protected.

    With fraud the most commonly experienced crime in the UK, affecting 1 in 15 adults each year, the government is taking further steps to crack down on the scammers behind the surge in fraud over the last decade, including through a new ban on SIM farms, technical devices which facilitate fraud on an industrial scale.

    The UK is also driving the response to fraud internationally through the adoption of the first ever UN resolution on fraud and has launched the first ever Insurance Fraud Charter to reduce fraud against the sector and consumers. The government will go further by publishing a new, expanded fraud strategy before the end of the year, which will place raising public awareness and working with tech companies at its heart.

    This follows government plans to tackle greedy ticket touts through new measures announced earlier this year which will put a cap on the price of resold tickets for concerts, live sport and other events, to put the power back in the hands of fans.

    Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said:

    Fraud is an absolutely shameful crime and today’s data shows that anyone can be a victim.

    While millions of Britons are getting ready to attend concerts this summer, the scammers are getting ready to exploit the desperate search for tickets, posting fake messages on social media sites offering to resell tickets they can’t use, or making last-minute offers from fake ticket companies.

    That is why our campaign is called Stop! Think Fraud, so no matter how real a deal looks, we all need to take a moment to think: am I being ripped off? So, let’s all stay cautious, stay alert, and stay protected from fraud. Don’t let the scammers ruin your summer.

    Tor Garnett, City of London Police Commander for Cyber and Economic Crime, said:

    People go to gigs for that ‘once in a lifetime’ experience – especially at sold out concerts and festivals, where the atmosphere is unmatched. But the excitement can vanish in an instant when fans discover their tickets are fake or they’ve been scammed through social media or resale sites. The loss isn’t just financial – it’s deeply emotional, turning anticipation into heartbreak.

    Criminals are targeting those looking to snap up last minute or resale tickets for sold out and highly in-demand concerts this year, and Action Fraud reporting data highlights this increasing issue. That’s why we encourage everyone to stay alert and recognise the tactics fraudsters use to commit ticket fraud this summer.

    Key signs of ticket fraud include unsolicited messages with ticket offers and deals, or requests for payment via bank transfer. When buying tickets, use a reputable or official ticket-selling site. Always take a moment to double check offers for tickets and pay using a credit card. Follow the advice from Stop! Think Fraud site on how to protect yourself from fraud.

    National Coordinator for the National Trading Standards eCrime Team, Mike Andrews, said:

    Every summer music fans desperate to see their favourite artists at festivals or stadium tours are left distraught and considerably out of pocket at the turnstiles as they discover the tickets they bought in good faith are in fact part of a fraudulent scam.

    Recent National Trading Standards prosecutions have led to serious jail time for ticket touts, which should send a message to all those who choose to engage in fraud that there are severe consequences.

    Fans should avoid buying from unofficial ticket sellers, but we know fans desperate for tickets will try to source them via any means possible. For fans who do risk using secondary sites, always use a credit card and never pay by money transfer or buy tickets on social media channels.

    Founder of face-value ticket resale platform Twickets, Richard Davies, said:

    We’ve seen firsthand how fraudsters attempt to exploit high-demand tours. In recent weeks alone, we’ve had to warn fans about multiple fake Twickets accounts and websites set up to trick Oasis fans into handing over money for non-existent tickets.

    Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often mimicking trusted resale platforms like ours or creating convincing social media profiles. It’s vital that fans stop and think before making a purchase. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always check that the platform is an official resale partner, never buy tickets from unofficial sellers on social media or marketplaces and avoid anyone asking for payment via personal bank transfer.

    Twickets was created to give fans a safer, fairer way to buy and sell tickets at face value, and we’ve already helped thousands of Oasis fans do just that ahead of the band’s upcoming tour. We’re committed to protecting fans and will continue to work hard to ensure ticketing remains transparent, trustworthy and scam-free.

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Crime contract for signature despatch to commence

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Crime contract for signature despatch to commence

    The LAA will start to send contracts for signature to crime providers from 1 July.

    The ongoing cyber security incident means that we are unable to issue the contract for signature for online acceptance in CWA. Therefore, the contract documentation will be sent out via email from 1 July. This will take up to 3 weeks to complete.

    Why is it happening now?

    Full instructions on how to accept the contract will be provided in the covering letter. Once accepted the contract will be returned to the LAA to countersign. The contract will commence on 1 October.

    If you have not received your contract documentation by 21 July, please contact the LAA through the eTendering message board.

    Further information

    For full details of the procurement process please read the Application Guide which is available at Crime Contract 2025 Tender – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Updates to this page

    Published 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DHS Releases Statement on Major Victory for Trump Administration and the American People on Deporting Criminal Illegal Aliens to Third Countries

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: DHS Releases Statement on Major Victory for Trump Administration and the American People on Deporting Criminal Illegal Aliens to Third Countries

    ASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secured a legal victory in its efforts to remove the worst-of-the-worst illegal aliens

    The U

    S

    Supreme Court issued a 6-3 order, staying a District Court’s order pending appeal with the U

    S

    Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

      
    With this decision, DHS can finally exercise its undisputed authority to deport criminal illegal aliens–who are not wanted in their home country–to third countries that have agreed to accept them

    This order comes after an activist judge caused Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and the eight barbaric criminals to be stranded in Djibouti

       
    Attributable to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin:
    “The Supreme Court ruling is a victory for the safety and security of the American people

    The Biden Administration allowed millions of illegal aliens to flood our country, and now, the Trump Administration can exercise its undisputed authority to remove these criminal illegal aliens and clean up this national security nightmare

    “If these activist judges had their way, aliens who are so uniquely barbaric that their own countries won’t take them back, including convicted murderers, child rapists and drug traffickers, would walk free on American streets

    “DHS can now execute its lawful authority and remove illegal aliens to a country willing to accept them

    “Fire up the deportation planes

    ”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Understanding drug precursor control in the European Union – 24-06-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Drug precursors are substances that may have legitimate commercial or industrial applications but are also used to produce illicit drugs. Criminal organisations seek to divert these substances from licit trade, while governments strive to prevent this without hindering the commercial interests of lawful operators. Faced with challenges in accessing these substances, primarily produced outside the European Union (EU) and subject to stringent regulations, criminal organisations have increasingly turned to using uncontrolled substitutes, putting in question conventional prevention strategies. Trade in drug precursors is strictly monitored and controlled at the international, EU, and Member State levels. The 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances is the cornerstone of the international framework for regulating these substances. Precursors are listed in the tables annexed to the Convention, which also outlines the roles of various bodies, such as the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the International Narcotics Control Board, in the scheduling process. To address the diversion of drug precursors, the EU has established a comprehensive framework composed of legislative, policy and institutional elements. The provisions of the 1988 Convention have been implemented through two EU regulations: one governing intra-EU trade and the other regulating trade with third countries. These laws impose obligations on operators handling substances listed by the EU. The EU Drugs Agency has been granted an enhanced mandate to assist the European Commission in monitoring precursor-related developments. In 2020, the Commission published a report assessing the effectiveness of EU drug precursors regulations in terms of implementation, impact, efficiency, relevance, coherence and EU added value. The evaluation’s findings will inform the forthcoming revision of the two regulations.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2024-25

    Source: Scottish Government

    An Accredited Official Statistics Publication for Scotland

    Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2024-25.

    Between 2023-24 and 2024-25:

    There was little change in crimes recorded by the police in Scotland, decreasing by less than 1%, from 299,790 to 299,111. The recording of crime remains below the position immediately prior to the pandemic (2019-20) and down 51% from its peak in 1991.

    There was little change in Non-sexual crimes of violence, decreasing by less than 1%, from 71,473 to 71,170. Common assault (down less than 1%) makes up the clear majority (83%) of all non-sexual crimes of violence recorded in 2024-25.

    Sexual crimes increased by 3%, from 14,484 to 14,892. These crimes are now at the second highest level seen since 1971, the first year for which comparable groups are available.

    There was little change in Crimes of dishonesty, decreasing by less than 1%, from 111,054 to 110,913. The recording of these crimes is back to the level seen immediately prior to the pandemic (in 2019-20) and down 74% from the peak in 1991.

    Damage and reckless behaviour crimes decreased by 6%, from 41,129 to 38,738. The recording of these crimes is now at the lowest level seen since 1976.

    Crimes against society increased by 3% from 61,650 to 63,398. Most of these crimes relate to crimes against public justice (42%) or drug possession (32%).

    Offences recorded by the police in Scotland collectively increased by 1%, from 174,073 to 175,919. This included increases in Miscellaneous offences (up 1%) and Road traffic offences (up 1%), whilst Antisocial offences changed very little, increasing by less than 1%.

    Police recorded cyber-crime in Scotland

    This bulletin also includes an estimate of how many cyber-crimes (i.e. crimes committed using the internet) were recorded in Scotland during 2024-25.

    In 2024-25, an estimated 14,120 cyber-crimes were recorded by the police in Scotland. This was a decrease of 2,770 crimes (or 16%)  when compared to the estimated volume for 2023-24 (16,890). Levels also remain significantly above the pre-pandemic year of 2019-20 (with 7,710 cyber-crimes).

    We estimate that cyber-crimes accounted for at least 5% of total recorded crime in 2024-25, including 27% of Sexual crimes, 7% of Crimes of dishonesty and 3% of Non-sexual crimes of violence.

    Official Statistics on Clear up rates

    In addition to the Accredited Official Statistics on police recorded crimes and offences, this bulletin also presents Official Statistics on crimes and offences cleared up by the police in 2024-25.

    In 2024-25 the clear up rate was 56.0%, up from 54.1% in 2023-24. Crimes against society (93.8%), Non-sexual crimes of violence (68.4%) and Sexual crime (56.9%) continued to have higher clear up rates in 2024-25 than Crimes of dishonesty (35.1%) and Damage and reckless behaviour (31.0%).

     

    Background

    1. The full statistical publication can be accessed at: Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2024-25 – gov.scot
    1. Contraventions of Scottish criminal law are divided for statistical purposes into crimes and offences. ‘Crime’ is generally used for the more serious criminal acts. The less serious termed ‘offences’, although the term ‘offence’ may also be used in relation to serious breaches of criminal law. The distinction is made only for statistical reporting purposes and the ‘seriousness’ of the offence is generally related to the maximum sentence that can be imposed.
    1. Further information on Crime and Justice statistics within Scotland can be accessed at: Crime and justice statistics – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
    1. Accredited Official and Official Statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of Official Statistics in Scotland can be accessed at: Statistics and research – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scotland ‘remains a safe place to live’

    Source: Scottish Government

    Constance responds as serious assault and attempted murder fall to lowest level since 1977.

    Recorded crime has more than halved since 1991, according to newly-published official statistics.

    The Recorded Crime in Scotland 2024-25 bulletin shows that total crime remains at similar levels to 2023-24, with a small reduction in the headline figure.

    Levels of non-sexual crimes of violence have also dipped slightly over the year and continue to be 23% lower than in 2006-07 – with serious assault and attempted murder now at their lowest level since 1977.

    There was a 6% decrease in 2024-25 in recorded incidents of damage and reckless behaviour – now at its lowest level since 1976, with vandalism down 73% from 2006-07.

    The detection of overall crime by police has increased, with clear-up rates rising to 56%.

    The recording of crimes of dishonesty are now at pre-pandemic levels and down 74% from the peak in 1991, however there was has been a 16% rise in shoplifting.

    There was a rise in recorded sexual crimes (up 3%), with rape and attempted rape up by 15%. A quarter of these crimes were reported at least one year after they had occurred.

    Justice Secretary Angela Constance said:

    “These figures show that Scotland continues to be safe place to live with reported crime falling by more than half since 1991. This comes on the back of the flagship Scottish Crime and Justice Survey which also showed people feel safer in their communities.

    “Violent crime is down significantly in the past 20 years, with serious assaults and homicide levels at record lows. However, we cannot afford to be complacent and I have been consistently clear that any instance of violence is one too many. That is why we are taking a wide range of actions to prevent, reduce and tackle violence, with more than £6 million funding invested over the past three years.

    “I am concerned these figures also show a rise in reported sexual crimes. Multiple factors will lie behind this and our action to tackle sexual offending includes increasing confidence in the justice system so more victims come forward, improving support for victims and modernising the law on sexual offences.

    “I also recognise the significant harm and disruption caused by retail crime, which is why we have made £3 million available in this year’s Budget for Police Scotland to work with the retail sector to help tackle this issue.

    “This year we will invest £4.2 billion across the justice system including a record £1.64 billion for policing – an increase of £70 million on 2024-25.

    “As part of the Scottish Government’s broader package to tackle violence, we have increased funding to the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit from £1.17 million last year to over £1.2 million this year. Projects supporting young people at risk of being drawn into criminal activities, under the Cashback for Communities programme, will receive up to £26 million over the next three financial years.”

    Background

    Full statistical publication Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2024-25

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow is a city of youth: how student brigades help to realize oneself

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    This year, from April to August, members of Moscow student brigades work at various sites across the country. Over 500 people remained to work in the capital. During the academic year, students and schoolchildren were selected for all-Russian and interregional work projects of Russian student brigades (RSB) – they completed tasks and participated in interviews.

    “Thanks to the opportunities in the capital, young residents of the capital can realize themselves in various areas from volunteering to creativity. Moscow student brigades are an active community that works for the benefit of the entire country. More than 3.5 thousand participants of student brigades work at sites throughout Russia, master professions, gain experience and contribute to the development of the most important sectors – from education to industry,” said

    Ekaterina Dragunova, Chairman of the Committee for Public Relations and Youth Policy of the City of Moscow.

    They receive a working specialty and begin their journey into the profession

    Currently, the Moscow regional branch of the RSO has over 150 teams in eight areas. They unite over 3.5 thousand students from 80 capital universities, 30 colleges and 80 schools. In the spring, the children received free training in working specialties in order to begin their path to the profession in the summer, gain their first work experience and contribute to the development of key industries in the country.

    “Moscow student brigades are professional growth and acquisition of flexible skills, experience, a team and, of course, youthful romance. Now students and schoolchildren begin their working summer at construction sites, the railway, in hospitals, hotels, children’s camps, agricultural complexes, on the fishing season and archaeological excavations. The guys work both in the capital and throughout Russia,” said Yulia Drozhzhina, chairperson of the board of Moscow student brigades, State Duma deputy.

    More than a thousand participants in the pedagogical direction work as counselors, shift leaders and program organizers in children’s camps in the Central Federal District, Krasnodar Krai, the Republic of Crimea and Primorye.

    Over 70 people represent Moscow in major RSO work projects as part of all-Russian student teaching teams. These are Gagarin in Anapa, Okean in Vladivostok, Delfin.ru in Krasnodar Krai, Orlyonok, Krasnaya Nit and Sputnik in Rostov Oblast. Muscovites also work at the International Children’s Center Artek in Yalta. In addition, the children will become counselors as part of the district student teaching team Solnechny. Their functions include holding leisure and developmental events and creating a comfortable environment for communication and socialization of children.

    Making Reality More Interesting Than a Smartphone: Moscow Camp Counselors Talk About Children, Games, and Teaching Techniques

    In student construction teams, the guys work at city, federal and international sites. They participate in ensuring the stable functioning of city systems – in servicing the heating stations of PJSC MOEK, the electric grid complexes of PJSC Rosseti and the Moscow Metro facilities. In addition, with the assistance of the administration of the capital’s universities, the guys build dormitories of the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba and the innovative scientific and technological center of Moscow State University “Vorobyovy Gory”.

    They work on all-Russian student construction sites and international projects

    13 capital teams have been selected for five all-Russian labor projects of the RSO, including “Peaceful Atom — Leningrad NPP” in the city of Sosnovy Bor in the Leningrad Region, where they are taking part in the construction of the Leningrad NPP-2.

    In addition, student team members perform general construction work at the all-Russian student construction sites “Peaceful Atom” in Ozersk, Chelyabinsk Region, “Peaceful Atom – Skif” in Novosibirsk, “Peaceful Atom – Breakthrough” in Seversk, Tomsk Region, “Alabuga Stroy” in Yelabuga (Republic of Tatarstan), “Siberia”, as well as in the work projects of Aeroterminal LLC in Krasnodar and “Kovykta” at the Kovykta gas condensate field in the Irkutsk Region.

    25 students represent Moscow in international projects, ensuring the operation of power plants in the Arab Republic of Egypt, including the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), as well as in the Republic of Bangladesh at the Rooppur NPP.

    Moscow student teams completed internships in more than 40 cities in RussiaSergei Sobyanin spoke about the work of Moscow student brigades

    They look after patients, work as orderlies and nurses

    The number of participants in medical teams is growing every year. Students from the capital’s famous medical universities provide support to the country’s healthcare system during the summer – they look after patients, work as orderlies and nurses in institutions throughout Russia.

    This year, in Moscow, they are working at the N.V. Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Care, the private healthcare institution “RZhD-Medicine Clinical Hospital named after N.A. Semashko”. Nine medical teams have been selected for all-Russian projects. From July, they will work in healthcare institutions on Sakhalin Island, Novosibirsk, Novokuznetsk, Chelyabinsk, Barnaul, Perm, Irkutsk and Tomsk, as well as in the Valeo district project in the Voronezh Region.

    Provide comfortable passenger transportation and service

    More than 200 participants in the conductor program ensure safe and comfortable passenger transportation on long-distance trains in the structural divisions of JSC Federal Passenger Company (Moscow-Kyiv and Nikolaevka). During trips, students control the placement of passengers according to tickets and serve them along the way, supervise safe boarding and disembarking on platforms, and monitor the technical condition of the carriage.

    This year, three student conductors became leaders of the all-Russian labor projects “Moscow” and “Adler”. Miron Ganichev from the student conductor team “Sinoger” based at the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K.A. Timiryazev took the position of instructor at the passenger car depot “Moscow-Kyiv”. Before each trip, he instructs students on labor protection and fire safety while working on the train.

    Participants in the service direction work as waiters, maids, lifeguards, bartenders, administrators and animators in hotels and sanatoriums on the Black Sea coast as part of the All-Russian student service teams “Sochi Park Hotel” in the city of Sochi, “Gelendzhik” in the city of the same name, “More” in Crimea.

    The “Runway” project in St. Petersburg allowed the children to become escorts for passengers with limited mobility, call center operators, inform passengers about airport services, clean aircraft cabins – raise seat backs, armrests and lay out blankets.

    For the first time this year, students began working at passenger check-in desks and became baggage handlers at Vnukovo Airport. On the Sapsan and Lastochka trains on the Moscow-St. Petersburg route, they hold the positions of waiter-stewards and serve passengers on high-speed trains. In addition, the guys work as waiters in the business lounges of Paveletsky and Kazansky railway stations in the center of the capital.

    They get jobs in admissions offices of universities and work in agriculture

    Another area of activity of service teams is administrative work at Moscow universities. Thus, students work in admissions committees of universities. They receive documents from applicants, form lists of applicants, draw up schedules for conducting entrance examinations and participate in summing up the results of the admissions campaign.

    Agricultural sector participants are involved in harvesting crops, working with cattle and poultry as veterinarians, livestock technicians, laboratory technicians, and much more.

    For example, this year students are participating in a large all-Russian project to harvest apples on the territory of OOO Agronom-Sad in Lipetsk Oblast and are being employed as winegrowers at AO Divnomorye in Krasnodar Krai.

    Students majoring in animal husbandry — veterinarians, zootechnicians, technologists and biologists — will try themselves at subsidiaries of the EkoNiva group of companies in the Voronezh region, at enterprises of the Damate group of companies in the Rostov region and at branches of Stavropolsky Broiler LLC.

    From July 1, members of the fishing teams will go to student fishing seasons in the Kamchatka and Khabarovsk regions as fish processors, caviar fishermen and short-distance fishing sailors.

    Moscow to open 65th summer work season of student teams

    They are on duty at MCC, MCD stations and railway stations

    This year, schoolchildren aged 14 to 17 years old, as part of the adolescent work teams, will work as hall attendants at the stations of the Moscow Central Circle, Moscow Central Diameters, and as attendants at the capital’s railway stations.

    For the first time this year, Moscow teenagers’ work teams were selected for the all-Russian work project “Alabuga TOP” in Yelabuga (Republic of Tatarstan). There they will become office managers for receiving and processing incoming calls in the office, and will clean residential premises and public places.

    More detailed information about the activities of Moscow student teams can be found in the community VKontakte or intelegram channel. You can learn more about the opportunities for young residents of the capital on the portal “Youth of Moscow” and in social networks project.

    Moscow is a city of youth. The capital offers wide opportunities for its development, creative self-expression, comfortable life and interesting leisure. It has a developed infrastructure, thousands of events of different scale and focus are held here.

    In honor of Youth Day, themed events will be held at more than 250 city venues. The flagship event will be the festival, which will take place on June 28 and 29 at Bolotnaya Square.

    You can find more detailed information and a map with all city events on the portal “Youth of Moscow”.

    Moscow student teams took part in the action “Snow landing of the RSO. Victory landing”From a conductor to a counselor: who can work in Moscow student groups

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155748073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two arrested in Hounslow stabbing murder investigation

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives investigating the murder of a man in Hounslow have arrested two men.

    Police were called at 14:21hrs on Sunday, 22 June to reports of a stabbing in Hanworth Road, near the junction with School Road.

    Officers responded with paramedics from the London Ambulance Service.

    A 22-year-old man was treated for stab wounds before being taken to hospital where he sadly later died. His next of kin are being supported by specialist officers.

    Two men, aged 27 and 37, were arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday, 23 June.

    They remain in custody for questioning.

    Superintendent James Rawlinson from the local neighbourhood policing team, said:

    “We are aware of the effect this horrendous incident has had on the local community, and have designated officers on reassurance patrols, to answer questions that you may have.

    “Residents will continue to see increased police presence whilst this investigation remains ongoing.

    “I encourage anyone who has information but may not have contacted police yet to get in touch and assist with this investigation.

    “If you think you might have caught any dash cam or mobile phone footage, please upload it here.

    “Please rest assured we are working at pace on this investigation, which is ongoing.

    “As is stands, we maintain that though the incident took place outside the Hounslow Muslim Centre, there is nothing to suggest a link to the venue.

    “Our thoughts, as always, remain with the family and friends of the victim at this incredibly difficult time.”

    Anyone who can assist the investigation team is asked to call 101 quoting 4387/22Jun or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 to remain anonymous.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Economic Security: Polytechnic University Students Win Prestigious Engineering Competition

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The award ceremony for the winners and prize winners of the All-Russian Engineering Competition 2024-2025 took place in Moscow. About 12,000 people applied to participate. 184 semi-finalists became laureates, 110 students became finalists, and only 68 received the status of winners. Among the best were students from the Higher School of Public Administration of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade.

    The goal of the All-Russian Engineering Competition is to develop the human resources potential of high-tech industries, to attract young people to solve promising production, technical and economic problems that are of strategic importance for the development of Russian industry. The competition is also aimed at improving the quality of engineering education through the creation of tools for interaction between educational and scientific organizations and high-tech enterprises in the real sector of the economy.

    Fifth-year students of the specialty “Economic Security” presented two works: Alena Akentyeva – “Financial pyramids, modern methods of fraud: analysis and measures to reduce them”, Yulia Kolesnikova – “Use of new technologies for illegal purposes”. The scientific supervisor was Associate Professor of the Higher School of State University Olga Makarova.

    I defended the project before federal experts, who helped to assess its strengths and growth points. Communication with other participants, dedicated to interesting developments in Russian universities, was especially useful, – shared Alena Akentyeva.

    Yulia Kolesnikova noted that participation in the competition inspires her to further achievements and helps her set new goals in her professional sphere.

    I am proud of the results of our students. The defenses of the projects confirmed their scientific novelty and practical significance. Such victories are an excellent indicator of the level of our students and the potential of the university, – emphasized Olga Makarova.

    Representatives of IPMET also took part in the competition committee. Associate Professor of the Higher School of Service and Trade, Deputy Director for Academic and Methodological Work Anna Chernikova and Head of the Department of Economic Theory Svetlana Golovkina were members of the state examination committee.

    The participation of students majoring in Economic Security in the All-Russian engineering competition required a great deal of coordinated work not only from the students and the supervisor, but also from consultants from the Higher School of Public Administration. The students demonstrated an excellent level of preparation when defending their final qualification work in Moscow at the Rosfinmonitoring base, Anna Chernikova noted.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New report: major developments and trends on terrorism in Europe in 2024

    Source: Europol

    These numbers are sourced from Europol’s European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report 2025 (TE-SAT), published today. This flagship report – the only one of its kind in Europe – describes the major developments and trends in the terrorism landscape in the EU in 2024, based on qualitative and quantitative information provided by EU Member States and other Europol partners.Catherine…

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: From the Caspian to Kamchatka: what kind of herring can you buy at the Moscow-on-the-Wave markets

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    June is the season for catching Pacific herring, so at the beginning of summer a new catch of this popular fish appears on the capital’s shelves. At the “Moscow – on the Wave” markets you can buy herring from the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as the Bering and Caspian seas.

    So different and very tasty

    Each type of herring has its own characteristics. Pacific herring has tender meat and rich taste, it is best suited for salads and sandwiches. You can find this type in the canned food section. Canned herring is usually purchased when there is no time or desire to cut up the fish yourself.

    Olyutorskaya herring is a subspecies of Pacific herring. The fish got its name from the place where it was caught: it lives in Olyutorsky Bay of the Bering Sea on the northeastern coast of Kamchatka. This herring is considered one of the fattest, tastiest and healthiest. The tender meat is rich in unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D and B12. At the Moscow-on-the-Wave fish markets, Olyutorskaya herring is sold lightly salted and fresh-frozen.

    Atlantic herring is also popular among city dwellers, as it has a balanced taste and is versatile in cooking: it is not only salted and smoked, but also marinated and even fried. Due to its high protein and healthy fat content, it is one of the most nutritious sea fish. Whole Atlantic herring carcasses are sold in the frozen food department and the specialized Seledochka department.

    Caspian herring (another name is zalom) is known for its large size and high fat content (up to 20 percent), which makes it especially tasty. In addition, this fish is rich in such useful microelements as calcium and iron. In the past, Caspian herring was served at the royal table and was considered a delicacy. The gastronomic legend is sold in the markets in the lightly salted fish section.

    Canapes, cold appetizers and hot dishes

    Aleksandr Chervyakov, a chef at the Moscow-on-the-Wave fish market, says that the culinary use of herring is by no means limited to the traditional salad. For example, he recommends a fresh look at the usual combination of products and suggests making canapes from lightly salted fish, boiled potatoes, pickled onions (or fresh cucumbers) and garlic sauce. This buffet snack is made quickly, looks appetizing and turns out very tasty.

    The chef also reminded that herring can be fried or baked, and shared a recipe. Fresh-frozen fish should be cut, removing bones and skin, and marinated with garlic and unagi sauce. The marinated fillet should be put on thin skewers or sticks and lightly fried over high heat. Wrap the finished fish in foil and let it rest on its own. Serve the dish with mashed potatoes.

    What do astronauts eat: at the markets “Moscow – on the wave” you can buy products from the ISS crew’s diet“Active Citizens” chose the best seafood for shashlik

    The Moscow-on-the-Wave fish markets, which opened in the Kosino-Ukhtomsky (November 2023) and Mitino (September 2024) districts, are popular among city residents. Each is several thousand square meters in area, two million people have already visited them, and about 1.5 thousand tons of products have been sold. In addition to shopping arcades, there are storage areas with different temperature conditions, food courts, and master class studios. And most importantly, there are laboratories on site that check the quality of all products sold.

    The range includes more than 600 types of fish and seafood. Products are supplied from the key fish regions of the country: Astrakhan, Murmansk, Magadan regions, Kamchatka and Khabarovsk territories, Karelia, Crimea and Yakutia.

    More information about the activities of the capital Department of Trade and Services can be found inofficial telegram channel.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155732073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: AIXA Miner Redefines Cloud Crypto Mining with AI-Optimized Protocol, 100% Green Energy, & FinCEN License

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AIXA Miner is a game-changing service that renders traditional cloud mining models obsolete. Their technology uses an AI optimization protocol that intelligently allocates resources worldwide. The company has also secured the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) MSB license. Effectively, this has created the industry’s first intelligent, yield-optimized, and federally regulated cloud crypto mining ecosystem.

    Certified and Regulated by the US Government

    As a U.S.-based company holding a FinCEN Money Services Business (MSB) license, AIXA Miner operates under the stringent anti-money laundering (AML) and transparency standards of the U.S. federal government. This distinction positions AIXA Miner as the only institutional-grade cloud mining platform for retail investors. In a sector flooded with scams and fake promises, this creates a trust level unparalleled in this vertical.

    A Cloud Crypto Mining Revolution with Complete Transparency

    Crypto mining used to be costly, expensive, and high-maintenance. But with the emergence of cloud crypto mining, all you need is an online account. AIXA Miner is making crypto mining more profitable, transparent, certified, and accessible to all with its advanced AI protocol and completely green energy technology centers that the company itself operates. Based on numerous factors like transaction fees and energy prices in 120+ data centers worldwide, the AI protocol shifts computing power to the most profitable crypto mining strategy in real-time.

    100% Green Energy, Worldwide User Base, and Daily Automated Withdrawals to User Bank Accounts

    Utilizing self-sustaining green energy sources provides AIXA Miner with a significant competitive advantage in terms of costs. Crypto mining is 100% automated in the cloud and used by over 1 million users from more than 200 countries. It is possible to start today – all that is required is access to the Internet. USDT payouts are withdrawn automatically every day into the user’s bank account.

    How AIXA Miner Works: 2 Simple Steps to Earn Passive Income Daily

    1. Create an AIXA Miner account in minutes.
    2. Choose a mining plan starting at $100 and above with clear ROI and no hidden fees.

    That’s all – you are good to go!

    The mining contracts and possible returns on investment are transparent (given below).

    Game-Changing Features for Cloud Crypto Mining

    • Global reach with 200+ countries and multilingual customer support.
    • AIXA Miner uses the latest ASIC miners and cutting-edge hardware.
    • A large variety of investment plans catering to every type of investor.
    • Bank-level security with DDoS protection and insurance mechanisms for user assets.
    • Trusted and loved by over 1 million active users.
    • No-cost and no technical knowledge entry threshold – anyone can use it.
    • Certified by the US governing agencies for complete transparency.
    • Intelligent system-wide AI protocol maximizes returns for minimum investment.
    • Automatic withdrawal of profits to your bank account every single day.

    For more, see https://aixaminer.com/

    Get Started Today

    Even without investment, with just an email account confirmation, 20 USD is credited to an AIXA Miner account, with a potential profit in a single day! Don’t get left behind – join the AIXA Miner cloud crypto mining revolution today and start creating passive income 24/7/365!

    About AIXA Miner

    AIXA Miner is a leading provider of cloud mining services. Utilizing the latest technology and renewable energy sources, we offer our clients the opportunity to engage in cryptocurrency mining without the need for personal hardware. Our services are designed to ensure compliance with the highest security standards, including FinCEN Certification. For more information on how we can help you achieve your crypto mining goals, visit our website at aixaminer.com.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3a3ee32-2ed3-4be0-bf1f-85773c9ab333
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/99953d7e-5ecc-491c-bdb9-de4aeae03848

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: AIXA Miner Redefines Cloud Crypto Mining with AI-Optimized Protocol, 100% Green Energy, & FinCEN License

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DENVER, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AIXA Miner is a game-changing service that renders traditional cloud mining models obsolete. Their technology uses an AI optimization protocol that intelligently allocates resources worldwide. The company has also secured the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) MSB license. Effectively, this has created the industry’s first intelligent, yield-optimized, and federally regulated cloud crypto mining ecosystem.

    Certified and Regulated by the US Government

    As a U.S.-based company holding a FinCEN Money Services Business (MSB) license, AIXA Miner operates under the stringent anti-money laundering (AML) and transparency standards of the U.S. federal government. This distinction positions AIXA Miner as the only institutional-grade cloud mining platform for retail investors. In a sector flooded with scams and fake promises, this creates a trust level unparalleled in this vertical.

    A Cloud Crypto Mining Revolution with Complete Transparency

    Crypto mining used to be costly, expensive, and high-maintenance. But with the emergence of cloud crypto mining, all you need is an online account. AIXA Miner is making crypto mining more profitable, transparent, certified, and accessible to all with its advanced AI protocol and completely green energy technology centers that the company itself operates. Based on numerous factors like transaction fees and energy prices in 120+ data centers worldwide, the AI protocol shifts computing power to the most profitable crypto mining strategy in real-time.

    100% Green Energy, Worldwide User Base, and Daily Automated Withdrawals to User Bank Accounts

    Utilizing self-sustaining green energy sources provides AIXA Miner with a significant competitive advantage in terms of costs. Crypto mining is 100% automated in the cloud and used by over 1 million users from more than 200 countries. It is possible to start today – all that is required is access to the Internet. USDT payouts are withdrawn automatically every day into the user’s bank account.

    How AIXA Miner Works: 2 Simple Steps to Earn Passive Income Daily

    1. Create an AIXA Miner account in minutes.
    2. Choose a mining plan starting at $100 and above with clear ROI and no hidden fees.

    That’s all – you are good to go!

    The mining contracts and possible returns on investment are transparent (given below).

    Game-Changing Features for Cloud Crypto Mining

    • Global reach with 200+ countries and multilingual customer support.
    • AIXA Miner uses the latest ASIC miners and cutting-edge hardware.
    • A large variety of investment plans catering to every type of investor.
    • Bank-level security with DDoS protection and insurance mechanisms for user assets.
    • Trusted and loved by over 1 million active users.
    • No-cost and no technical knowledge entry threshold – anyone can use it.
    • Certified by the US governing agencies for complete transparency.
    • Intelligent system-wide AI protocol maximizes returns for minimum investment.
    • Automatic withdrawal of profits to your bank account every single day.

    For more, see https://aixaminer.com/

    Get Started Today

    Even without investment, with just an email account confirmation, 20 USD is credited to an AIXA Miner account, with a potential profit in a single day! Don’t get left behind – join the AIXA Miner cloud crypto mining revolution today and start creating passive income 24/7/365!

    About AIXA Miner

    AIXA Miner is a leading provider of cloud mining services. Utilizing the latest technology and renewable energy sources, we offer our clients the opportunity to engage in cryptocurrency mining without the need for personal hardware. Our services are designed to ensure compliance with the highest security standards, including FinCEN Certification. For more information on how we can help you achieve your crypto mining goals, visit our website at aixaminer.com.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3a3ee32-2ed3-4be0-bf1f-85773c9ab333
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/99953d7e-5ecc-491c-bdb9-de4aeae03848

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met launches a new way for Londoners to hear about neighbourhood policing

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A new way for Londoners to receive updates directly from local officers is being rolled out as part of the Met’s focus on neighbourhood policing.

    Officers will use Met Engage to provide their communities with crime prevention advice, information about local events and meetings, updates on ongoing incidents and investigations, and information about successful outcomes and operations.

    Neighbourhood policing is at the forefront of the Met’s work to deliver more trust, less crime and high standards.

    Communities have told the Met they want to be more connected to their local policing teams and the Met is asking people to sign-up for Met Engage here.

    Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said:

    “Every day, officers and staff across the Met are out tackling the crimes that really affect people – things like shoplifting, phone theft and burglary. Their crime-fighting is making a difference and we’re seeing large reductions in these types of offences in London.

    “But real progress means more than just numbers going in the right direction – it means working with communities, not just policing them.

    “Met Engage is about having a two-way conversation. It’s a way for people to stay informed with precise local updates, to tell us what is most important to them and to challenge misinformation. It’s about shaping policing together and I would encourage everyone to sign-up.”

    People who sign up to the email service will be asked to complete a survey, where they’ll be able to select where they live and choose the type of alerts they’d like to be informed about. This means the messages they receive will be specifically tailored to them.

    Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, said:

    “I am pleased to see the launch of Met Engage. Both the Mayor and I have been clear that neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of safer communities. By providing an easy way for Londoners to stay in touch with their local neighbourhood police teams, the Met are able to better respond to the needs of our communities.”

    “Communication and partnership with communities is essential to the Met’s efforts to cut crime and increase public confidence. I am proud to say that City Hall has part funded Met Engage to bolster neighbourhood policing and drive down crime across the capital, building a safer London for everyone.

    “Met Engage is a key part of the Met’s community-first approach, by providing a platform for people to raise concerns, while also being kept updated on the issues that matter most in their local area.

    The Met is placing communities at the heart of everything it does by putting more officers into neighbourhood policing to focus on the issues that matter most to Londoners.

    Our new neighbourhood policing model means that every borough now has an additional 500 staff ranging from Superintendent to PCSOs, working closer than ever with communities to understand their concerns and act upon them.

    Local officers are using intelligence from residents and businesses to help shape policing priorities and reduce crime including shoplifting or anti-social behaviour.

    By relentlessly targeting the right areas and the right people, we can bring relief to communities blighted by crime and anti-social behaviour.

    Met Engage is provided by VISAV Limited, a company that has produced similar products for other police forces across the UK.

    While Met Engage will provide opportunities for the public to highlight issues, it is not a crime reporting tool and will not replace all the existing methods of reporting crime including the Met website, calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met launches a new way for Londoners to hear about neighbourhood policing

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    A new way for Londoners to receive updates directly from local officers is being rolled out as part of the Met’s focus on neighbourhood policing.

    Officers will use Met Engage to provide their communities with crime prevention advice, information about local events and meetings, updates on ongoing incidents and investigations, and information about successful outcomes and operations.

    Neighbourhood policing is at the forefront of the Met’s work to deliver more trust, less crime and high standards.

    Communities have told the Met they want to be more connected to their local policing teams and the Met is asking people to sign-up for Met Engage here.

    Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said:

    “Every day, officers and staff across the Met are out tackling the crimes that really affect people – things like shoplifting, phone theft and burglary. Their crime-fighting is making a difference and we’re seeing large reductions in these types of offences in London.

    “But real progress means more than just numbers going in the right direction – it means working with communities, not just policing them.

    “Met Engage is about having a two-way conversation. It’s a way for people to stay informed with precise local updates, to tell us what is most important to them and to challenge misinformation. It’s about shaping policing together and I would encourage everyone to sign-up.”

    People who sign up to the email service will be asked to complete a survey, where they’ll be able to select where they live and choose the type of alerts they’d like to be informed about. This means the messages they receive will be specifically tailored to them.

    Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, said:

    “I am pleased to see the launch of Met Engage. Both the Mayor and I have been clear that neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of safer communities. By providing an easy way for Londoners to stay in touch with their local neighbourhood police teams, the Met are able to better respond to the needs of our communities.”

    “Communication and partnership with communities is essential to the Met’s efforts to cut crime and increase public confidence. I am proud to say that City Hall has part funded Met Engage to bolster neighbourhood policing and drive down crime across the capital, building a safer London for everyone.

    “Met Engage is a key part of the Met’s community-first approach, by providing a platform for people to raise concerns, while also being kept updated on the issues that matter most in their local area.

    The Met is placing communities at the heart of everything it does by putting more officers into neighbourhood policing to focus on the issues that matter most to Londoners.

    Our new neighbourhood policing model means that every borough now has an additional 500 staff ranging from Superintendent to PCSOs, working closer than ever with communities to understand their concerns and act upon them.

    Local officers are using intelligence from residents and businesses to help shape policing priorities and reduce crime including shoplifting or anti-social behaviour.

    By relentlessly targeting the right areas and the right people, we can bring relief to communities blighted by crime and anti-social behaviour.

    Met Engage is provided by VISAV Limited, a company that has produced similar products for other police forces across the UK.

    While Met Engage will provide opportunities for the public to highlight issues, it is not a crime reporting tool and will not replace all the existing methods of reporting crime including the Met website, calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Congressman Valadao’s Romance Scam Prevention Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

    WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 2481, the Romance Scam Prevention Act. Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) introduced the bipartisan legislation in April alongside Reps. Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Craig Goldman (TX-12). This bill would require dating apps and services to issue fraud ban notifications to users who have interacted with a person removed from the app for fraudulent activity.

    Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced the companion bill in the Senate, which passed out of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on March 12, 2025.

    “Millions of Americans use online dating platforms to connect with romantic partners, but unfortunately, they’ve also become a way for scammers to target and exploit unsuspecting victims,” said Congressman Valadao. “As criminals become more sophisticated, it’s important we have safeguards in place to protect users. The Romance Scam Prevention Act is a bipartisan effort to enhance online safety and combat financial fraud, and I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to get this bill across the finish line.”

    “Online dating services are being used as a platform for bad actors to target and exploit individuals, yet protections continue to lag behind,” said Rep. Pettersen. “Notifying users if they have been in contact with a potential scammer is a basic security feature that every online dating service should provide. This bipartisan bill will help reduce online crime and keep people safe from online scammers. I’m grateful this legislation has passed the House with bipartisan support, and I will keep working to see it signed into law.”

    “These aren’t just creepy or shady tactics—they are life-ruining attacks that disproportionately target the elderly, as well as young men and women,” said Rep. Suozzi. “As a father, a former mayor and as a member of Congress, I’ll never stop fighting to protect people from exploitation—online or anywhere else.”

    Congressman Valadao spoke on the House Floor during debate on the legislation. Watch his remarks here or read as prepared below:

    Mr. Speaker,

    I rise to urge support for my bill, the Romance Scam Prevention Act. 

    Every year, millions of Americans from all ages and backgrounds use dating apps and websites to make connections. For many, online dating has made it easier to build relationships, but unfortunately there are countless stories of criminals using these sites for fraudulent activity.

    While it’s sadly common to see users lie about things like their age or occupation, romance scammers use fake profiles to develop connections and emotionally or financially exploit unsuspecting users.

    According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost over $1.1 billion in 2023 alone, with senior citizens being the most at-risk age group.

    There have been countless stories of people being conned out of their entire life savings, all because they believed they had found love online.

    People who meet online often take their conversations to other communication platforms and might not know they are talking to someone who has been removed. 

    This bill requires dating platforms to issue fraud ban notifications to users who have interacted with an account who has been removed for fraudulent activity.

    As criminals are becoming more sophisticated when it comes to exploiting victims online, it’s time to put safeguards in place to protect users from financial fraud. 

    I want to thank Chairman Guthrie and his staff at the Committee on Energy & Commerce for their work on this important bill as well as my co-leads, Reps. Brittany Pettersen, Tom Suozzi, and Craig Goldman.

    Thank you, and I yield back.

    Background:

    Over 60 million Americans used an online dating service in 2023, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that romance scams resulted in victims losing over $1.1 billion. Criminals use false names and stories to lure individuals into conversation before manipulating them to give up sensitive information. When an online dating service provider becomes aware of a user committing fraudulent activity, like illegally obtaining money, the online dating service provider immediately deactivates the fraudulent user’s account. However, individuals who meet online often take their conversations to other communication platforms, so even when a fraudulent account is removed, an individual might not know they are still communicating with someone who was banned from the platform.

    Read the full bill here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rotorua Police continue to appeal for information to identify motorcyclist involved in fatal collision

    Source: New Zealand Police

    To be attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Mark van Kempen, Rotorua CIB:

    Rotorua Police can now release the name of the man who died after being struck by a motorcycle on Edmund Road on 15 June.

    He was Paige Johnson, aged 24, from Rotorua.

    Police have received a number of calls and online reports in response to our previous appeals for information and we would like to thank everyone who has contacted us so far.

    We are now appealing for further public assistance to identify and locate the rider of the motorcycle involved.

    Since 15 July, the investigation team has been working to trace the movements of the motorcycle that day.

    CCTV footage provided by members of the public has helped establish that following the collision, the motorcycle travelled from Edmund Road on to Clayton Road, then along Thomas Road and in to Gordon Road, heading east.

    Today, a significant police presence has been in and around this area, speaking with residents and gathering further information. The response has been extremely positive, with several valuable pieces of information being received.

    Police are also continuing to support Paige’s family, who are devastated by his loss. Both Paige’s family and Police reiterate our appeal to anyone with knowledge of this incident, the motorcycle, or its rider to contact Police – either directly or anonymously via Crime Stoppers. 

    We also want to reiterate our appeal to the motorcyclist to come forward and do the right thing – both for their own sake and for Paige’s grieving family. We know Paige’s death will likely be weighing heavily on this person and it is important that we speak to them to understand the full picture of what occurred.  

    Additionally, we want to remind members of our community that assisting anyone involved in this incident in a way that intentionally hinders the police investigation could have serious consequences.

    Photographs of the motorcycle and its rider are attached. The motorcycle is believed to be a black and gold Kawasaki Ninja 600cc. The rider is believed to be male and has a distinctive full-length tattoo on his left leg.

    If you can help, please contact Police via 105 and quote Operation Simpson, file number 250615/1168. 

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 24, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 24, 2025.

    Calls for New Zealand to denounce United States attack on Iran
    By Lillian Hanly, RNZ News political reporter Prominent lawyers are joining opposition parties as they call for the New Zealand government to denounce the United States attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. Iranian New Zealander and lawyer Arman Askarany said the New Zealand government was showing “indifference”. It comes as acting Prime Minister David Seymour told

    Warm-ups, layered clothes, recovery: 4 tips to exercise safely in the cold
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Harry Banyard, Senior Lecturer in Exercise and Sports Science, Swinburne University of Technology Maridav/Shutterstock Temperatures have dropped in many parts of Australia which means runners, cyclists, rowers, hikers, or anyone physically active outside need to take extra precautions to stay safe and exercise in relative comfort. Cold

    Sharks freeze when you turn them upside down – and there’s no good reason why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jodie L. Rummer, Professor of Marine Biology, James Cook University Rachel Moore Imagine watching your favourite nature documentary. The predator lunges rapidly from its hiding place, jaws wide open, and the prey … suddenly goes limp. It looks dead. For some animals, this freeze response – called

    Drone footage captured orcas crafting tools out of kelp – and using them for grooming
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Pirotta, Postdoctoral Researcher and Wildlife Scientist, Macquarie University Sara Jenkins/500px/Getty The more we learn about orcas, the more remarkable they are. These giant dolphins are the ocean’s true apex predator, preying on great white sharks and other lesser predators. They’re very intelligent and highly social. Their

    Inaccurate and misogynistic: why we need to make the term ‘hysterectomy’ history
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Theresa Larkin, Associate Professor of Medical Sciences, University of Wollongong Panuwat Dangsungnoen/Getty Images Have you had a tonsillectomy (your tonsils taken out), appendectomy (your appendix removed) or lumpectomy (removal of a lump from your breast)? The suffix “ectomy” denotes surgical removal of the named body part, so

    More women are using medical cannabis – but new research shows barriers push some into illegal markets
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vinuli Withanarachchie, PhD candidate, College of Health, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images The number of women using medicinal cannabis is growing in New Zealand and overseas. They use cannabis treatment for general conditions such as pain, anxiety, inflammation and nausea, as well as

    It’s time to face an uncomfortable truth: maybe our pampered pets would be better off without us
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nancy Cushing, Associate professor, University of Newcastle ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images Pet-keeping is often promoted for the benefits it brings humans. A close association with another animal can provide us with a sense of purpose and a daily dose of joy. It can aid our health,

    Work, wages and apprenticeships: sifting for clues about the lives of girls in ancient Egypt
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Hamilton, Lecturer in History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Weavers in the Tomb of Khnumhotep II, Beni Hassan, Egypt. Painted by Norman de Garis Davies (MMA 33.8.16) We know surprisingly little about the lives of children in ancient Egypt. And what records we do have about them

    Archetyp was one of the dark web’s biggest drug markets. A global sting has shut it down
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elena Morgenthaler, PhD Candidate, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University Operation Deep Sentinel Last week, one of the dark web’s most prominent drug marketplaces – Archetyp – was shut down in an international, multi-agency law enforcement operation following years of investigations. It was touted as

    How do sleep trackers work, and are they worth it? A sleep scientist breaks it down
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dean J. Miller, Senior Lecturer, Appleton Institute, HealthWise Research Group, CQUniversity Australia Many smartwatches, fitness and wellness trackers now offer sleep tracking among their many functions. Wear your watch or ring to bed, and you’ll wake up to a detailed sleep report telling you not just how

    ‘It feels like I am being forced to harm a child’: research shows how teachers are suffering moral injury
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glenys Oberg, PhD candidate in education and trauma, The University of Queensland SolStock/Getty Images Australia is in the grip of a teacher shortage. Teachers are burning out, warning the job is no longer sustainable and leaving the profession. We know this is due to excessive workloads, stress

    NZ Greens call on state to condemn US over ‘dangerous’ attack on Iran
    Asia Pacific Report New Zealand’s opposition Green Party has called on the government to condemn the United States for its illegal bombing of Iran and inflaming tensions across the Middle East. “The actions of the United States pose a fundamental threat to world peace,” said Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson in a statement. “The rest

    View from the Hill: Albanese supports US bombing, reluctantly
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong went out on Monday to back the United States attack on Iran, it was obvious their support was through gritted teeth. Albanese told their joint news conference: “The world has

    Woodside’s North West Shelf gas extension is being challenged in the courts. Could it be stopped?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Hepburn, Professor, Deakin Law School, Deakin University The controversial extension of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project off Western Australia faces two legal challenges. Both raise significant concerns about the validity of government approvals. One could even seek an injunction, preventing federal environment minister Murray Watt

    Australian CEOs are still getting their bonuses. Performance doesn’t seem to matter so much
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Denniss, Adjunct Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University RomanR/Shutterstock Almost all of Australia’s top chief executives are, according to their boards at least, knocking it out of the park in terms of performance. That is despite sluggish productivity, persistently high carbon emissions, rising

    Strait of Hormuz: closing vital oil and gas route would disrupt global supplies. How will Australia be affected?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sanjoy Paul, Associate Professor in Operations and Supply Chain Management, UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney Below the Sky/Shutterstock The Iranian parliament has approved the closure of key shipping route the Strait of Hormuz, in a move that could further escalate the Israel/Iran war. The strait

    MIT researchers say using ChatGPT can rot your brain. The truth is a little more complicated
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vitomir Kovanovic, Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning (C3L), Education Futures, University of South Australia Rroselavy / Shutterstock Since ChatGPT appeared almost three years ago, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on learning has been widely debated. Are

    Why the US strikes on Iran are illegal and can set a troubling precedent
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University After the United States bombed Iran’s three nuclear facilities on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said its objective was a “stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror”. US Defence Secretary

    How do I get started in the gym lifting weights?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mandy Hagstrom, Senior Lecturer, Exercise Physiology. School of Health Sciences, UNSW Sydney Thomas Barwick/Getty So you’ve never been to a gym and are keen to start, but something’s holding you back. Perhaps you don’t know what to actually do in there or feel like you’ll just look

    NZ’s plan to ‘welcome anyone, from anywhere, anytime’ is not a sustainable tourism policy
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Regina Scheyvens, Professor of Development Studies, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images Attracting more Chinese tourists to New Zealand, including during the off-season, was a major part of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s trade agenda during his visit to China last week. As Tourism Minister

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police monitoring gang movements, Hawke’s Bay

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Please attribute to Acting Superintendent Lincoln Sycamore, Eastern District Commander:

    Police will be closely monitoring the movements of those travelling from Napier through to Hastings for a funeral tomorrow morning around 9am.

    Motorists can expect to see a large number of gang members and associates travelling around the region both this evening and tomorrow.

    We’re reminding all those who are travelling on our roads to not act in any way that can put yourself and other road users at risk. Motorists should also expect delays.

    Police will be investigating any unlawful behaviour, and where enforcement action can not be taken at the time, expect our staff to follow up.

    If you have concerns for your safety, or witness any illegal behaviour from those involved, please call 111 immediately.

    To report or send in any footage of the group engaging in illegal activity on our roads, please make a report online at 105.police/govt.nz, call Police via 105 or make an anonymous report via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals-led Missing Child Operation in Middle Florida Results in Recovery of 60 Children

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Tampa, FL – The U.S. Marshals Service Middle District of Florida, in conjunction with a vast array of partners, led missing child operation in June that resulted in the recovery or safe location of 60 critically missing children from across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties.

    Operation DRAGON EYE, the product of a multidisciplinary task force of federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as social service entities, the medical community, and non-governmental organizations planning and executing a two-week initiative geared to recover or safely locate the most critically missing youth, has been deemed the most successful missing child operation in USMS history. The USMS defines “critically missing” children as those at risk of crimes of violence or those with other elevated risk factors such as substance abuse, sexual exploitation, crime exposure, or domestic violence.

    This operation had three primary objectives: recover critically missing youth, provide them with essential services including appropriate placement, and to deter bad actors exploiting missing child vulnerabilities.

    DRAGON EYE resulted in eight arrests, including charges of human trafficking, child endangerment, narcotics possession, and custodial interference.

    Recovered children were provided with medical resources, nourishment, social services, and child advocates. Operation DRAGON EYE child welfare and social service partners said they are proud of this operation’s achievements.

    “I have to curtail my enthusiasm because of the sensitivity of the victims involved in this operation, but the successful recovery of 60 missing children, complemented with the arrest of eight individuals, including child predators, signifies the most successful missing child recovery effort in the history of the United States Marshals Service; or to my knowledge, any other similar operation held in the United States,” said William Berger, U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Florida. “The unique part of this operation was the fact that underaged critically missing children ranging from age 9 to 17 were not only recovered but were debriefed and provided with physical and psychological care. This operation further included follow-up assistance in hopes that these youth will not return to the streets to be further victimized.”

    USMS law enforcement partners played essential roles in the success of Operation DRAGON EYE, and include the following agencies: Florida Attorney General’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Department of Children and Families, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Pasco Sherriff’s Office, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, St. Petersburg Police Department, Tampa Police Department, BayCare, Bridging Freedom, Bridges of Hope, Children’s Home Network, Children’s Network of Hillsborough County, Family Support Services Pasco Pinellas Counties, More Too Life, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and Redefining Refuge.

    “The success of Operation DRAGON EYE is a testament to what’s possible when agencies unite with a shared mission to protect children,” said Callahan Walsh, Executive Director, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. “We’re proud to have supported the U.S. Marshals Service and our partners in Florida to recover these missing children and provide critical support to those who need it most. NCMEC is honored to stand alongside these teams and will continue working tirelessly to help make sure that every child has a safe childhood.”

    The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 enhanced the USMS discretionary authority to assist other law enforcement agencies with the recovery of missing, endangered or abducted children, regardless of whether a fugitive or sex offender was involved. The U.S. Marshals have a Missing Child Unit to oversee and manage the implementation of its enhanced authority under the act. Upon request, the Marshals assist other law enforcement agencies with the recovery of “critically missing children,” who have gone missing under circumstances that indicate an elevated risk to the child. Since 2015, when the Marshals received enhanced authority under the act, the agency has located or recovered more than 3,967 missing children. The U.S. Marshals have located or recovered missing children in 66 percent of cases received. Of those recovered, 61 percent were found within seven days. The U.S. Marshals are leading the way in a nationwide effort to rescue and recover missing and exploited children, thereby aiding in the prevention of human trafficking.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty to Distributing Cocaine Following a Wiretap Investigation

    Source: US FBI

    Baltimore, Maryland – Travis Sentell Howell, 46, of Baltimore, Maryland, pled guilty to distributing 80 kilograms of cocaine.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the guilty plea with Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Washington Division.

    According to the guilty plea, beginning in fall 2022, the FBI and DEA investigated a drug trafficking conspiracy involving several individuals distributing cocaine in the Baltimore area, including Howell. During the investigation, investigators obtained court-authorized wiretaps for Howell’s phones.  Investigators intercepted telephone calls during which Howell and co-conspirators used coded language to discuss distributing cocaine, arranging meetings, and obtaining cash proceeds from the conspiracy.  Based on wiretaps and surveillance work, law enforcement observed Howell and co-conspirators conducting suspected drug transactions in various locations in Baltimore.

    Investigators learned that, during the conspiracy, Howell obtained kilogram quantities of cocaine from the west coast.  After the cocaine arrived, Howell redistributed it to customers in the Baltimore area.  He paid for the cocaine by, among other things, traveling to the west coast and providing hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to couriers.

    On June 4, 2024, investigators executed federal search warrants on several residences associated with suspected members of the drug trafficking organization, including a residence associated with Howell.  During the search, investigators recovered approximately $13,182 in cash, a money counter, gold Rolex watch, and other jewelry.  At the locations associated with other members of the conspiracy, investigators recovered more than five kilograms of cocaine, a pill press and pill press parts, empty glassine wrappers, gas mask, Narcan, cutting agents, digital scales, and cash.

    After the execution of the search warrant, Howell acknowledged that for multiple years he received multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine and redistributed it to other individuals in the Baltimore area.  Howell stated that during the time of the investigation, he obtained approximately 80 kilograms of cocaine and redistributed it to other individuals.  He also explained that during a trip to Los Angeles, the week before the search warrant, Howell transported $180,000 of U.S. Currency, which he provided as payment for cocaine to transport back to Baltimore for distribution.  Howell admitted that he made multiple short trips to Los Angeles, which he explained was to provide payment for cocaine and that all payments were for at least $100,000 or more.

    The parties agree that if the Court accepts the plea agreement, Howell will be sentenced to nine years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for August 18.

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI and DEA for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Simpkins who is prosecuting the case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Peever Man Sentenced to Nearly Six Years in Federal Prison for Assaulting His Spouse and Causing Serious Bodily Injury

    Source: US FBI

    ABERDEEN – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Peever, South Dakota, man for Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

    On June 16, 2025, Terry Wayne Sterling Heminger, age 27, was sentenced to five years and ten months in federal prison with three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

    Heminger was indicted by a federal grand jury in March 2024. He pleaded guilty on September 30, 2024. His conviction stemmed from an incident on December 23, 2022, when Heminger assaulted his spouse with a hammer. The victim sustained serious bodily injuries to her skull resulting in complete vision loss in one eye and 54% loss in the other. The victim also had to undergo the placement of several metal plates to treat the injuries.

    This matter is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in federal court as opposed to State court.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth A. Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

    Heminger was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fourth Defendant Pleads Guilty to Scheme to Bribe Feeding Our Future Juror

    Source: US FBI

    MINNEAPOLIS – Abdiaziz Farah, who was convicted of fraud after the first Feeding Our Future trial, has pleaded guilty to his role in providing a cash bribe to a juror in that same trial, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.

    On April 22, 2024, seven defendants went to trial before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel for their roles in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme.  During the trial, Abdiaziz Farah, 36, of Savage, MN, conspired with his co-defendants, Abdimajid Nur and Said Farah, also well as with two other people, Abdulkarim Farah and Ladan Ali, to provide a cash bribe to one of the jurors in exchange for returning a not guilty verdict in the trial.

    “The attempted bribery of a Feeding Our Future juror sent shockwaves throughout Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “Abdiaziz Farah did what few criminal defendants have ever had the audacity to do—he and his co-conspirators tried to buy a not guilty verdict.  They were thwarted by Juror 52, who could not be bought, and by the excellent work of law enforcement.  Farah and all involved in this despicable scheme will be held to account.”

    “Juror bribery is an attack on the integrity of our justice system,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis.  “Farah’s actions directly undermined the rule of law. In partnership with our law enforcement colleagues, the FBI is unwavering in our pledge to safeguard the incorruptibility of our judicial process and ensure those who threaten that process must answer for their actions.”

    According to court documents, after the conspirators identified and decided to bribe Juror 52, at least one of Farah’s co-conspirators conducted surveillance of Juror 52 at Juror 52’s house. At or around the same time, Ladan Ali was recruited to deliver the bribe money to Juror 52. Farah worked with his co-conspirators to gather the funds necessary for the bribe. In the early morning of June 2, 2024, in furtherance of that effort, Farah sent a message to his brother and co-defendant Said Farah using an encrypted messaging app. Abdiaziz Farah told Said Farah to “[p]lease have the money ready by 10 please. It’s very important for everything we have.”

    Later on June 2, 2024, Farah instructed his co-defendant Abdimajid Nur to meet him at Said Farah’s business, Bushra Wholesalers, to pick up the bribe money. Abdimajid Nur did so. However, Farah and Said Farah did not fully trust Ladan Ali, and they remained concerned that Juror 52 would not follow through with an acquittal. As such, a co-conspirator directed Abdulkarim Farah to drive Ladan Ali to Juror 52’s house and record a video of her delivery of the bribe money.

    After meeting Ladan Ali not far from Juror 52’s house, Abdulkarim Farah and Ladan Ali drove to a nearby Target store where Abdulkarim Farah purchased a screwdriver to remove the license plate from Ladan Ali’s rental car prior to delivering the bribe to Juror 52 in an effort to avoid detection.

    At approximately 8:50 p.m. on June 2, 2024, Abdulkarim Farah drove Ladan Ali to Juror 52’s house to deliver the bribe. Abdulkarim Farah took a video recording as Ladan Ali approached Juror 52’s house with a gift bag containing the bribe money. Ladan Ali handed the gift bag to a relative of Juror 52 and explained there would be more money if Juror 52 voted to acquit the defendants.

    After Ladan Ali delivered the bribe, Abdulkarim Farah sent the video he had taken to his brother, Abdiaziz Farah. Abdiaziz Farah then forwarded that video to the third Farah brother, Said, in a message that said, “watch and delete.”

    On June 3, 2024, Farah was present in court when prosecutors announced law enforcement’s discovery of the bribe attempt. Minutes later, after being ordered by Judge Nancy Brasel to surrender his phone to law enforcement, Farah conducted a factory reset of his iPhone in order to delete the messages, video, and other evidence of the bribe attempt from his phone.

    Abdiaziz Farah pleaded guilty on June 17, 2025, in U.S. District Court before Judge David S. Doty to one count of bribery of a juror. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI with assistance from IRS – Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew S. Ebert, Harry M. Jacobs, and Daniel W. Bobier are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Archetyp was one of the dark web’s biggest drug markets. A global sting has shut it down

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elena Morgenthaler, PhD Candidate, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University

    Operation Deep Sentinel

    Last week, one of the dark web’s most prominent drug marketplaces – Archetyp – was shut down in an international, multi-agency law enforcement operation following years of investigations. It was touted as a major policing win and was accompanied by a slick cyberpunk-themed video.

    But those of us who have studied this space for years weren’t surprised. Archetyp may have been the most secure dark web market. But shutdowns like this have become a recurring feature of the dark web. And they are usually not a significant turning point.

    The durability of these markets tells us that if policing responses keep following the same playbook, they will keep getting the same results. And by focusing so heavily on these hidden platforms, authorities are neglecting the growing digital harms in the spaces we all use.

    One of the most popular dark web markets

    Dark web markets mirror mainstream e-commerce platforms – think Amazon meets cybercrime. These are encrypted marketplaces accessed via the Tor Browser, a privacy-focused browser that hides users’ IP addresses. Buyers use cryptocurrency and escrow systems (third-party payment systems which hold funds until the transaction is complete) to anonymously purchase illicit drugs.

    Usually these products are sent to the buyer by post and money transferred to the seller through the escrow system.

    Archetyp launched in May 2020 and quickly grew to become one of the most popular dark web markets with an estimated total transaction volume of €250 million (A$446 million). It had more than 600,000 users worldwide and 17,000 listings consisting mainly of illicit drugs including MDMA, cocaine and methamphetamine.

    Compared to its predecessors, Archetyp enforced enhanced security expectations from its users. These included an advanced encryption program known as “Pretty Good Privacy” and a cryptocurrency called Monero. Unlike Bitcoin, which records every payment on a public ledger, Monero conceals all transaction details by default which makes them nearly impossible to trace.

    Despite the fact Archetyp had clearly raised the bar on security on the dark web, Operation Deep Sentinel – a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies in six countries supported by Europol and Eurojust – took down the market. The front page has now been replaced by a banner.

    While these publicised take-downs feel effective, evidence has shown such interventions only have short-term impacts and the dark web ecosystem will quickly adapt.

    A persistent trade

    These shutdowns aren’t new. Silk Road, AlphaBay, WallStreet and Monopoly Market are all familiar names in the digital graveyard of the dark web. Before these dark web marketplaces were shutdown, they sold a range of illegal products, from drugs to firearms.

    Yet still, the trade persists. New markets emerge and old users return. In some cases, established sellers on closed-down markets are welcomed onto new markets as digital “refugees” and have joining fees waived.

    What current policing strategies neglect is that dark web markets are not isolated to the storefronts that are the popular target of crackdowns. These are communities stretched across dark and surface web forums which develop shared tutorials and help one another adapt to any new changes. These closures bind users together and foster a shared resilience and collective experience in navigating these environments.

    Law enforcement shutdowns are also only one type of disruption that dark web communities face. Dark web market users routinely face voluntary closures (the gradual retirement of a market), exit scams (sudden closures of markets where any money in escrow is taken), or even scheduled maintenance of these markets.

    Ultimately, this disruption to accessibility is not a unique event. In fact, it is routine for individual’s participating in these dark web communities, par for the course of engaging in the markets.

    This ability of dark web communities to thrive in disruptions reflects how dark web market users have become experts at adapting to risks, managing disruptions and rebuilding quickly.

    Dark web markets are accessed via the highly private and secure Tor Browser.
    Daniel Constante/Shutterstock

    Missing the wider landscape of digital harms

    The other emerging issue is that current policing efforts treat dark web markets as the core threat, which might miss the wider landscape of digital harms. Illicit drug sales, for example, are promoted on social media, where platform features such as recommendation systems are affording new means of illicit drug supply.

    Beyond drugs, there are now ever-growing examples of generative AI being used for sexual deepfakes across schools and even of public figures, including the recent case of NRL presenter Tiffany Salmond.

    This is all alongside the countless cases of celebrities and social media influencers caught up in crypto pump-and-dump schemes, where hype is used to artificially inflate the price of a token before the creators sell off their holdings and leave investors with worthless tokens.

    This shows that while the dark web gets all the attention, it’s far from the internet’s biggest problem.

    Archetyp’s takedown might make headlines, but it won’t stop the trade of illicit drugs on the dark web. It should force us to think about where harm is really happening online and whether current strategies are looking in the wrong direction.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Archetyp was one of the dark web’s biggest drug markets. A global sting has shut it down – https://theconversation.com/archetyp-was-one-of-the-dark-webs-biggest-drug-markets-a-global-sting-has-shut-it-down-259441

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Laundering Proceeds of $16M Hospice Fraud Scheme

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    A California man pleaded guilty today to laundering more than $4.6 million in connection with a years-long scheme to defraud Medicare of nearly $16 million through sham hospice companies.

    According to court documents, Mihran Panosyan, 46, of Winnetka, worked with others to launder the proceeds of a massive Medicare fraud scheme, transferring the fraudulently obtained funds between multiple accounts before spending them. The scheme comprised three parts. First, three of Panosyan’s co-defendants used the identities of foreign nationals no longer in the United States to operate several sham hospice companies. Panosyan and his co-defendants maintained fraudulent identification documents, bank accounts, checkbooks, and credit and debit cards in the names of purported foreign owners. Second, the co-defendants caused the submission of false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for hospice services for patients who were not terminally ill and who never requested nor received hospice services. As a result, Medicare paid the sham hospices nearly $16 million. Third, Panosyan and his co-defendants laundered the proceeds of the scheme to conceal the source of the funds and their control over them. Panosyan transferred proceeds of the Medicare fraud between accounts in the names of the purported foreign owners, the sham hospices, and other shell corporations, laundering more than $4.6 million in fraudulently obtained funds that he used to purchase real estate, pay for private school for his minor child, and pay for other personal expenses.

    Panosyan pleaded guilty to money laundering and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 8. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Panosyan’s co-defendant, Petros Fichidzhyan, previously pleaded guilty to health care fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. Last month, Fichidzhyan was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Trial against the other three defendants in this case is scheduled to begin July 29.

    The guilty plea today is the most recent conviction in the Justice Department’s ongoing effort to combat hospice fraud in the greater Los Angeles area. Last year, a doctor was convicted at trial for his role in a scheme to bill Medicare for hospice services patients did not need, and two other defendants were sentenced for their roles in a hospice fraud scheme.  

    Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Omar Pérez Aybar of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) Los Angeles Regional Office made the announcement.

    The FBI and HHS-OIG are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorneys Michael Bacharach, Sarah E. Edwards, and Allison L. McGuire of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara B. Vavere of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California is handling asset forfeiture.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of 9 strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –