As we march towards the future, crime rates continue to rise, and the figures are staggering. Earlier, people would get to know about criminal activities from the newspaper. However, in today’s time, every information is available to people from all across the world through social media and the digital medium. Despite much awareness, crime rates don’t seem to come down any sooner. Given a chance, criminals can blow as many people as they want. If you think only killing is the mainstream crime, you’re wrong. Continue reading to know about the world’s fastest-growing crimes:

1. Human Trafficking

This is the fastest-growing crime in the world. In simple terms, human trafficking is the forced trade of humans for sexual slavery, labor and commercial sex exploitation. However, human trafficking does happen within the borders but also takes place internationally. Human trafficking is a profitable trade, especially with young women and children who are ripe for the taking by sexual predators. Unfortunately, not even a single country is free from this disease. This happens everywhere and generates massive revenue for people who conduct it. In some countries, this crime is acknowledged as people smuggling, where the person being smuggled is asked for his/her consent. However who would want to get sold as a slave in today’s time, right?

2. Killing

Unfortunately, the killing rate continues to thrive with every minute passing by. You will be shocked to know that more than 1 million people die from murders each year. This means, every few minutes, a person is killed. This kind of crime has increased after the exaggerated possession of arms and weapons by local people. However, killing gained popularity when the number of bomb blasts increased in different parts of the world. A single explosion can claim the lives of hundreds of people in a minute that means, the killing rate won’t come down any sooner. If you ever get convicted of a criminal offence, it is crucial to consult a professional lawyer in your locality. For instance, if you’re from California, you must google Long Beach Criminal Lawyer to get a list of all veteran professionals working there. An experienced attorney can help you in getting rid of a criminal charge if you’re innocent.

3. Theft

Acknowledged as one of the world’s oldest crimes, theft takes place every minute in different forms. However, one doesn’t need to be a professional criminal for this. Even if you engage in shoplifting, you’re conducting a theft. Furthermore, stealing a bicycle or somebody’s Gucci bag also makes its way in the list of theft. This criminal activity is a common phenomenon in many parts of the world and continues to pose a major problem in public areas. Theft is an industry that is worth $100 billion and continues to rise with time passing by. However, the problem with this kind of crime is, it is often not recorded and day to day theft cases go unnoticed.

4. Vandalism

As the world continues to prosper every single day, people are getting more carefree with regards to their attitude. Vandalism is defined as graffiti artwork that is done in public places. Most countries in the world have strict laws on vandalism. However, there are many veteran artists who don’t conform to societal standards and ethics. Ever heard of the veteran painter Banksy? He is a professional graffiti artist who loves to send out a message through his work. In Britain, if you’re caught engaging in vandalism, you will have to pay a hefty fine for it.

5. Rape

In simple words, rape is acknowledged as a forceful sexual assault that is carried out against the other person’s wish. This act might be carried out by physical force, abuse of authority. Most of the time, young women fall prey to this criminal act. However, men are equally subjected to this kind of crime. The problem with rape is, most of the cases go unnoticed. In conservative countries, women often don’t report crimes with the fear of getting isolated from society. This, in turn, is damaging because it compels the criminals to carry out their negative activities without the fear of getting caught.

6. Harassment

Thanks to women who have raised enough concern on the issue of harassment. Although many people are still confused about it. Harassment is acknowledged as bullying, insulting the other person or making telephone calls without reason. However, it doesn’t end there because there are several kinds of harassments. Most commonly known one is sexual harassment that transitions into rape. Harassment at the workplace is a very common phenomenon that doesn’t seem to come down despite much awareness.

7. Traffic Violations

Although most developed countries have a smooth flow of traffic, still a lot of people love to break the traffic rules all the time. Common traffic violations include speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, riding in the back of a truck and overtaking. The problem with traffic violations is, this ends up in a severe accident that claims the lives of so many people. In road accidents alone, millions of people pass away every year. Therefore, it is essential to adhere to the traffic rules to keep away from any prospective problems in future.

8. Cyber Crime

As the world continues to become a lot smaller in terms of technology, cybercrimes continue to increase. Cybercrime is one where a computer or a network is involved. Cybercrime is rampantly growing across the world and hounds the sensitive data of many people. Cybercrime is known as an offence that is conducted against a person or a group. The increasing rate of cybercrime is a major threat for a lot of companies in today’s time. This is why corporations are opting for cloud computing, SaaS and other options to protect their data. Cybercrime can be very damaging to a company in the long run.

9. Cyber Bullying

This is another major kind of criminal activity, but one that is conducted online. Cyberbullying is defined as bullying that takes place on computers, tablets and mobile phones. The basic reason behind cyberbullying is to mentally abuse the victim and try to gain control of their mind. Thousands of young children fall prey to cybercrime every year. The targets of such criminals are young minds whom they can abuse sexually and mentally. However, young adults also fall prey to this crime every day. Cyberbullying has also claimed the lives of many people.

10. Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle

If you’re less than 18, nobody will allow you to drive a car in any part of the world. All countries have a strict policy on driver’s license that doesn’t allow people who are less than 18 to drive a vehicle. In some countries, the minimum age is 21, only when a person is allowed to drive. However, that’s not all, even if you’re using your parent’s vehicle without permission, you could end up in jail. Unauthorized use of vehicles without a driving license is a rampantly increasing crime, which ends up in many road accidents every year.

11. Possession of Unlicensed Arms

This is the most common reason for an increasing number of homicides. Furthermore, conventional killings are increasing because a lot of people possess unlicensed arms. Carrying weapons like metal knuckles and pepper spray is a criminal offence, which can end up in a person serving a sentence in jail. You can carry arms only if you are above 21. However, every state has varying rules with regards to arms and ammunition. In countries where laws are strict, citizens are not even allowed to carry weapons if they are old enough.

12. Fraud

There’s no denying the fact that technology helps us in many ways. Yet there are major setbacks of technological advancements. Traditionally, fraudulent practices would be conducted when fraudsters would run away. In today’s time, fraudulent practices are conducted online through e-mails and digital media. Committing fraud via e-mail is a common phenomenon in today’s time; that is why thousands of people get conned every day. Fraud that is conducted via email is also known as a phishing scam. So next time you receive an email, which promises a good salary package from a well reputable firm, don’t reply to it.

13. Possession of Marijuana and Kratom

Although marijuana has multiple proven health benefits for the body, this plant is still illegal in many parts of the world. Marijuana is legal in the US at a state level but is banned on a federal level. People who consume marijuana have to be more than 18 years old and should possess a valid license to buy it. The problem is that the legalization of marijuana poses a great threat for the government when young kids use fake IDs to buy it from the market where it is commercially sold. On the other hand, a lot of people consume kratom, which has no proven health benefits for the body. The possession of kratom is illegal and carries severe repercussions.