Frederick M. Bennett: Welcome to the chat. My name is Fred Bennett, Chief of the Eurasian Organized Crime Unit, FBIHQ. Thank you for joining me today and I look forward to chatting with you.

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Chicago, Ill.: What has the EOCU accomplished in the past 11 years?

Is it natural for organized crime to hatch and grow in any unstable area? If so, what have we learned that might help in places like Afganastan and Iraq? Are these areas so different that the above question does not apply?

What are the relationships between the organized crime you are investigating and the various terrorist groups?

Based on your experience in the area, what can we expect over the next 10 years?

What was happening in this country to justify the creation of the EOCU unit?

Frederick M. Bennett: Regarding what we can expect over the next ten years, changes we have seen in the political, social, and economic foundations of many countries have contributed to the expansion of international OC. Additionally, technological advancements in communication and transportation continue to contribute to the expansion of Russian OC. The threat of these groups to the social and economic stability of the US will continue into the near future.

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Washington D.C. : First of all, I would like to thank all of the Special Agents of the FBI for the long hours and dedicated service to our country before 9/11 and especially after.

My question to you Agent Bennett is:
Would you describe organized crime and how the FBI investigates the enterprises? Also, how do you determine or identify when organized crime figures are laundering money through the United States?

Frederick M. Bennett: OC is a self-perpetuating, structured association of individuals combined together for the purpose of obtaining monetary gain, by illegal means, while protecting the activities of the association through a pattern of violence.

The FBI utilizes the Enterprise Theory of Investigation to address these organizations. Meaning, resources are focused on targeting the entire organizations criminal activity, not just an individual or a specific criminal act. Ultimately, the FBI will incapacitate the organization's leadership.

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Fort Bragg, N.C.: What is the major threat posed to the U.S. by these organizations? How do they operate? Is there any link between them and terrorism?

Thanks

Frederick M. Bennett: ROC groups are involved in many criminal acts, extortion, kidnapping, drug trafficking, insurance fraud, health care fraud, auto theft, money laundering, bank fraud. Basically, anything to make money. These organizations are either foreign based or domestic with no ties to Russia or Eastern Europe.

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Arlington, Va.: I speak Russian and am looking for a career change. Are there any career opportunities in your office?

Frederick M. Bennett: Please check the fbijobs.com for current openings. There is always a need for a language speciality either as an agent or language specialist.

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Houston, Tex.: Is human trafficking still a problem linked to Russian Organized Crime? How big is the problem in the US?

Frederick M. Bennett: Yes. Human smuggling in the form of illegal migration and to supply the international sex trade. Poor economic conditions in the former soviet union and the baltic states encourage young women to venture into this lucrative trade.

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Villa Hills, Ky.: Agent Bennett, could you give examples of successful cases in the United States regarding the prosecution of Russian Organized crime figures.

Also, do you ever work with the intelligence community in an effort to identify Russian Organized crime figures currently operating in Moscow.

Frederick M. Bennett: The first significant ROC investigation occurred in 1993 with the targeting of Vyacheslav Ivankov. He led an international criminal organization that operated mainly in New York, London, Budapest, and Moscow. His organization specialized in extorting Russian business interests. Ivankov and five of his associates were arrested in 1995. Ivankov is currently serving his prison sentence in the US.

The FBI does coordinate with the intelligence community.

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McLean, Va.: To what extent are these Eurasian (and other) organized Criminal organization(s) using computer networks and/or the Internet to perpetrate or aid in criminal activities? Are they embracing the new technologies, or have they stayed away from using them?

Frederick M. Bennett: EOC and ROC groups are powerful because their membership base consists of educated individuals who maintain a keen business interest. The international leadership is professional and sophisticated and will often infiltrate licit industry and business. They have the ability to update their knowledge of technical developments to attempt to keep ahead of law enforcement. They place great importance on infiltrating the banking industry utilizing various money laundering schemes, to safe guard monetary reserves for future activities.

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Sacramento, Calif.: Has there been a marked increase in Russian Organized Crime taking place in the U.S. since the break up of the Soviet Union?

Frederick M. Bennett: Yes. The lifting or easing of international travel since the break up has added to the increase in ROC in the US. Foreign crime bosses enter the US to expand their criminal enterprises and profits. One of ROC's greatest assets is their ability to travel internationally and adapt to a new environment.

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Nashville, Tenn.: What are the primary federal laws under which individuals identified by your unit are prosecuted?

Frederick M. Bennett: The primary federal statute is the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization statute. This statute gives the FBI the ability to address prosecutions regarding entire organizations. This allows for the leader of a criminal organization to be prosecuted even if he was not involved in the crime or conspiracy. Many of our foreign law enforcement partners do not have the luxury of this type of prosecution.

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Frederick M. Bennett: Thank you for joining me today and your interest in the FBI's international OC program. I enjoyed answering your questions, however my time has run out. Sorry I could not answer all of the questions submitted. Have a great day.

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