Associate Researcher, Institute of Sociology of the Romanian Academy, e-mail address: rcosminp@gmail.com.

PhD Candidate, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, e-mail address:  gheorghecostinlucian@yahoo.com

DIGITAL ERA AND EMERGING SOCIAL PROCESSES

ABSTRACT

THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE: ORGANIZED CYBERCRIME. GLOBAL AND LOCAL IMPLICATIONS

Organized crime is undergoing various transformations in the digital era, evolving from hierarchical, territorially bound groups into flexible, technologically mediated networks capable of operating across multiple jurisdictions while relying on minimal physical infrastructure. This article examines the phenomenon of digital organized crime in Romania, situating it within broader theoretical perspectives. The article draws on the analysis of academic sources from the fields of sociology, criminology, economic criminology, and cybercrime studies in order to trace the conceptual evolution of organized crime. It outlines the typologies and effects of digital organized crime at the global level and how these manifest within the Romanian context. In this article, we argue that criminal dynamics in Romania have evolved in the direction of digitalization, driven by the technical sophistication of the population and of cyber infrastructure. Moreover, this evolution has been fueled by socio-economic vulnerabilities and gaps in institutional response. The conclusions highlight the need for policy and legislative responses that include regional cooperation and AI-assisted law enforcement.

Keywords: cross-border organized crime, money laundering, drug trafficking, cyber racketeering, ransomware.

DOI: 10.59277/RJSoc.2026.3-4.04 

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