The Trump Administration Designates Several Cartels as Terrorist Organizations
Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protection Services on Terrorist Organizations:
The Trump administration designated eight Latin American cartels as terrorist organizations on Thursday, a designation typically reserved for groups with political goals achieved through violence.
The U.S. Department of State filed the notice of the designation in The Federal Register on February 20. The action targets the following cartels:
- Cartel del Golfo (CDG), also known as the Gulf Cartel and the Osiel Cárdenas-Guillén Organization
- Cartel del Noreste (CDN), also known as the Northeast Cartel and Los Zetas
- Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), also known as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel
- Cartel de Sinaloa, also known as the Sinaloa Cartel, the Mexican Federation, and the Guadalajara Cartel
- Carteles Unidos, also known as United Cartels, Tepalcatepec Cartel, Cartel de Tepalcatepec, the Grandfather Cartel, Cartel del Abuelo, and Cartel de Los Reyes
- La Nueva Familia Michoacana (LNFM)
- Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
- Tren de Aragua (Aragua Train)
The eight cartels’ members are described as “foreign persons who have committed or attempted to commit, pose a significant risk of committing, or have participated in training to commit acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States,” according to the State Department filing.
Source:
Gates, M. (February 20, 2025). United States Designates 8 Cartels as Terrorist Organizations. Security Management Magazine.
Security Threats: Keeping Convenience Stores Safe
Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protection Services on Security Threats:
Store owners and operators often face security threats. A difficult balancing act between maintaining profits and implementing security measures—especially when the costs of security are presented alongside traditional profit generators like marketing or product stocking.
Convenience stores come in many forms, from the mom-and-pop bodega in New York City to the sleek Speedway on the side of a cross-country highway. Despite their differences, all of these stores serve millions of U.S. customers looking for a quick drink, snack, or pack of cigarettes.
Given the transient nature of the convenience store industry, it’s a business where you never know who will walk through your door at any given time. While the convenience of these stores appeals to patrons, it also attracts criminals. Thieves frequently target these locations in hopes of stealing cash and merchandise. Organized criminal groups tend to focus on items that can be resold on the black or gray market, such as cigarettes, alcohol, lottery tickets, or other popular products.
Some owners might assume that enhancing store security requires the latest (and possibly most expensive) surveillance system or locks. However, it’s essential to first assess the overall environment and understand the specific threats a store faces.
Larger companies with multiple locations, whether regionally or nationwide, often have security departments that can conduct risk assessments. Relying on these resources can help identify local crime trends and determine what factors might impact a particular store.
Source:
Mosqueda, S. (February 10, 2025). Keeping Convenience Stores Safe from Physical Threats. Security Management Magazine.
Fraud Schemes Continue to Rise
Frank Costa, President of NEXGEN Protections Services on Fraud Schemes:
Fraud remains a persistent problem that organizations continue to struggle with, including the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), one of the federal agencies tasked with addressing fraud schemes.
Below are some of the top fraud scams that affected individuals and organizations in 2024 and are likely to continue being a problem in 2025.
- Investment Scams
This scam tactic has been around for ages. Fraudsters often present themselves with seemingly lucrative business opportunities that promise regular returns—if you invest immediately. - Business Email Compromise (BEC)
BEC schemes have been around since email was first introduced and typically occur in one of two ways, according to Schlereth.
Fraudsters either spoof a legitimate email address or domain name, often adding an extra letter so the sender appears authentic at a quick glance. Alternatively, they may use social engineering to obtain an employee’s credentials and then log into the victim’s work email. CFOs and CEOs are particularly lucrative targets. - Check Fraud
What’s old is new again. Check fraud surged last year, especially after individuals posted videos on social media showing themselves writing bad checks, depositing them at ATMs, withdrawing cash before the check bounced, and sharing their behavior.
“Fraudulently altered checks can cause significant losses to financial institutions and disrupt bank operations,” the report states. “Due to the nationwide surge in check fraud targeting U.S. mail, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued an alert urging financial institutions to be vigilant in identifying and reporting such activity.” - Impersonation Fraud
In this scam, criminals claim victims are suspects in financial crimes and threaten arrest or violence unless they pay the criminals. Additionally, fraudsters are impersonating customer service and tech support providers, often targeting individuals over 60 by phone. They claim that the victim’s computer has been compromised and needs immediate repair.
Source:
Gates, M. (February 1, 2025). Trend Alert: 4 Fraud Schemes to Watch in 2025. Security Management Magazine.
