Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on how modern-day treasure hunters find and sell cultural heritage objects in South Asia. It provides a rare glimpse into co-offending in Norway, a country that differs in many ways from the Anglo-American jurisdictions that typically constitute a focal point for similar studies. The book examines the recruitment of so-called money mules, individuals who wittingly or unwittingly transfer funds for the benefit of a criminal. Despite their low level in the criminal hierarchy, money mules are vital to cybercrime, in particular as they enable the ‘cashing out’ of funds stolen online. The book explores quantitative analysis to map out the evolution of the literature in the field. It also examines in depth the symbiotic relationship that Rome’s ‘Mafia Capitale’ had managed to establish with certain strata of the cities political elite before the trial of its leaders in 2015–2016.