Crime in Switzerland#Juvenile crimes

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Crime in Switzerland is combated mainly by cantonal police. The Federal Office of Police investigates organised crime, money laundering and terrorism.

Crime statistics

In Switzerland, police registered a total of 432,000 offenses under the Criminal Code in 2019 (−0.2% compared with previous year), of which 110,140 or 25.5 percent were cases of thefts (excluding vehicles, −2.0%), and 41,944 or 9.7 percent were thefts of vehicles (including bicycles, −10.1%), 46 were killings and 161 were attempted murders. The number of cases of rape reported increased by 53 incidents or 8.5 percent over the previous year. The number of criminal pornography offenses increased by 56.1 percent to 2,837. Offenses against the Narcotics Act decreased by 0.7 percent to 75,757.

In 2014, 110,124 adults were convicted, of which 55,240 (50%) were convicted according to traffic regulation offences, 6,540 (+1.6%) for trafficking in narcotic substances, and 17,882 (−7.2%) for offenses against the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals.{{cite web |url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/19/03/03/key/ueberblick/01.html |title=Kriminalität, Strafvollzug – Daten, Indikatoren; Verurteilungen: Jugendliche und Erwachsene; Verurteilungen 2013–2014 |date=30 April 2015 |publisher=Swiss Federal Statistical Office |language=de, fr |type=official federal site |location=Neuchâtel, Switzerland |access-date=14 August 2015}} 83,014 or 83.4% of adult convicted people are male, and 42,289 or 42.5 percent of them Swiss citizens.{{cite web |url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/19/03/03/key/ueberblick/02.html |title=Kriminalität, Strafvollzug – Daten, Indikatoren; Verurteilungen: Jugendliche und Erwachsene; Verurteilte Personen 2014|date=30 April 2015 |publisher=Swiss Federal Statistical Office |language=de, fr |type=official federal site |location=Neuchâtel, Switzerland |access-date=14 August 2015}}

In the same year, 11,484 minors (78 percent of them male, 68 percent of them of Swiss nationality, 64.2 percent aged either 16 or 17) were convicted.

Convictions for infliction of bodily harm have steadily increased throughout the 1990s and 2000s, with 23 convictions for serious injury and 831 for light injury in 1990 as opposed to 78 and 2,342, respectively, in 2005. Convictions for rape have also slightly increased, fluctuating between 500 and 600 cases per year in the period 1985 to 1995, but between 600 and 700 cases in the period 2000 to 2005. Consistent with these trends, convictions for threats or violence directed against officials has consistently risen in the same period, from 348 in 1990 to 891 in 2003.[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/19/03/03/key/straftaten/gesetze.html Swiss Federal Statistics Office]{{Cite web |url=http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/19/03/03/key/verurteilte.html |title=Swiss Federal Statistics Office |access-date=2 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071204154823/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/19/03/03/key/verurteilte.html |archive-date=4 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}

=Types of convictions=

The number of convicted persons is given in the following tables. Each class of crime references the relevant section of the Strafgesetzbuch (Criminal Code, abbreviated as StGB in German), or Betäubungsmittelgesetz (abbr. BetmG, Narcotics Act), or the Strassenverkehrsgesetz (abbr. SVG, Swiss Traffic Regulations).

class="wikitable" ! Year	Total convicted adults (StGB only)	Homicide (Art. 111,112,113,116 StGB)	Serious bodily injury (Art. 122 StGB)	Minor bodily injury (Art. 123 StGB)	Sexual contact with children (Art. 187 StGB)	Rape (Art. 190 StGB)	Theft (Art. 139 StGB)	Robbery (Art. 140 StGB)	Receiving stolen goods (Art. 160 StGB)	Embezzlement (Art. 138 StGB)	Fraud (Art. 146 StGB)	Narcotics possession	Major violation of traffic laws (Art. 90 Abs. 1&2 SVG)	Impaired driving (Art. 91 SVG)
2005	26,200	106	95	2,438	416	110	5,968	498	1,249	907	1,468	5,508	22,013	16,466
2006	26,428	116	108	2,553	389	134	5,892	574	1,184	863	1,512	5,419	21,725	20,900
2007	24,184	104	93	2,283	387	136	5,505	532	943	805	1,587	5,073	21,431	20,083
2008	26,025	102	134	2,622	408	133	5,732	537	914	840	1,641	5,349	25,184	20,376
2009	27,497	100	130	2,665	384	131	6,393	553	943	847	1,555	5,491	25,472	19,483
2010	28,603	96	152	2,690	331	134	6,669	611	911	783	1,746	6,104	25,960	20,421
2011	29,645	84	137	2,775	276	87	7,074	464	1,033	726	1,831	4,851	24,040	19,127
2012	34,270	117	188	2,902	298	110	9,026	534	1,347	756	1,994	5,795	23,248	18,662
2013	35,726	121	187	2,892	322	99	9,577	683	1,440	676	2,332	6,119	22,584	17,625
2014	34,335	123	235	2,768	318	109	8,557	584	1,154	694	2,253	6,384	24,838	17,327
2015	32,992	115	239	2,581	350	104	7,491	528	946	693	2,434	6,746	23,881	16,728
2016{{ref\|conviction\|a}}	32,378	91	206	2,471	294	86	7,028	408	804	693	2,294	6,354	22,473	16,720

:{{note|conviction|a}} 2016 conviction numbers may not include convictions overturned on appeal.

:{{note|privacy|}} Due to privacy protection laws some convictions are not included.

class="wikitable" ! Year	Total convicted minors (StGB only)	Homicide (Art. 111,112,113,116 StGB)	Serious bodily injury (Art. 122 StGB)	Minor bodily injury (Art. 123 StGB)	Sexual contact with children (Art. 187 StGB)	Rape (Art. 190 StGB)	Theft (Art. 139 StGB)	Robbery (Art. 140 StGB)	Receiving stolen goods (Art. 160 StGB)	Embezzlement (Art. 138 StGB)	Fraud (Art. 146 StGB)	Narcotics possession	Major violation of traffic laws (Art. 90 Abs. 1&2 SVG)	Impaired driving (Art. 91 SVG)
2005	7,580	7	10	634	73	14	3,528	375	400	34	65	918	124	180
2006	7,768	7	22	644	118	19	3,417	330	390	35	51	1,019	125	188
2007	6,912	7	21	701	102	20	2,190	285	285	21	47	680	117	141
2008	6,976	4	24	688	80	17	1,999	334	272	17	57	560	101	125
2009	6,930	7	24	664	73	5	2,031	366	315	19	57	600	142	105
2010	7,614	13	36	770	71	17	2,411	413	242	19	51	566	120	141
2011	5,428	2	31	551	65	5	1,589	259	155	10	49	507	138	152
2012	5,073	2	34	476	69	8	1,624	305	165	25	56	555	74	124
2013	5,193	4	31	408	75	22	1,664	324	171	26	90	691	72	95
2014	4,912	3	33	393	66	9	1,388	240	162	25	70	832	91	126
2015	4,518	4	28	342	89	5	1,387	196	146	17	73	972	127	105
2016{{ref\|conviction\|a}}	4,613	6	47	342	69	11	1,415	161	151	15	93	879	86	111

:{{note|conviction|a}} 2016 conviction numbers may not include convictions overturned on appeal.

:{{note|privacy|}} Due to privacy protection laws some convictions are not included.

=Historic conviction rates=

The historic adult conviction rates are given in the following chart:[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/19/03/03/key/ueberblick/02.html Kriminalität, Strafvollzug – Daten, Indikatoren: Verurteile Personen: Jugendliche und Erwachsene] {{in lang|de}} accessed 27 October 2017

Total \|\| Male \|\| Swiss \|\| Total \|\| Male \|\| Swiss \|\| Total \|\| Male \|\| Swiss
class="wikitable" !rowspan=2\| Year !!rowspan=2\| Total Adult Convictions	colspan="3" \| Criminal Convictions	colspan="3" \| Narcotics Convictions	colspan="3" \| Traffic Convictions
1985	46,252	20,272	81.1%	66.8%	3,855	81.3%	69.9%	22,125	89.6%	74.5%
1990	52,030	19,810	80.2%	57.1%	4,176	81.8%	61.4%	28,044	88.5%	67.2%
1995	57,478	17,824	83.3%	55.0%	5,442	84.1%	53.7%	34,212	86.5%	63.3%
2000	68,654	20,614	85.2%	49.5%	6,798	70.7%	34.6%	41,242	85.0%	60.3%
2005	80,484	26,199	84.7%	49.7%	6,847	71.6%	33.3%	47,438	84.0%	55.5%
2006	85,477	26,583	84.8%	50.2%	6,792	70.1%	34.7%	52,102	83.7%	54.8%
2007	80,299	24,265	85.0%	51.3%	6,051	74.4%	35.3%	49,983	84.4%	53.9%
2008	88,147	26,327	84.5%	51.0%	6,240	77.2%	36.8%	55,580	83.5%	52.6%
2009	89,542	27,727	84.7%	48.5%	6,430	76.8%	34.8%	55,385	83.3%	52.4%
2010	93,187	28,691	84.0%	47.4%	7,006	78.7%	33.7%	57,490	83.0%	51.6%
2011	87,222	29,128	83.5%	44.9%	5,401	78.2%	32.6%	52,693	83.3%	50.6%
2012	95,702	33,925	83.8%	41.5%	6,562	80.0%	30.6%	55,215	82.0%	50.3%
2013	97,706	35,325	83.3%	40.3%	7,141	77.5%	28.9%	55,240	81.6%	48.8%
2014{{ref\|conviction\|a}}	98,582	32,911	82.6%	41.3%	7,392	76.2%	30.4%	58,279	80.4%	48.1%

:{{note|conviction|a}} 2014 conviction numbers may not include convictions overturned on appeal.

=Age at conviction=

The age of the individuals at the time of their convictions is given in this chart:

class="wikitable" ! Year	18–19	20–24	25–29	30–34	35–39	40–44	45–49	50–59	60–69	70+
1985	7.9%	26.8%	18.6%	13.6%	10.4%	7.7%	5.4%	6.4%	2.5%	0.7%
1990	6.6%	26.4%	20.7%	14.5%	9.9%	7.5%	5.4%	6.1%	2.2%	0.7%
1995	5.4%	21.4%	20.8%	15.5%	11.5%	8.6%	6.5%	7.1%	2.5%	0.8%
2000	6.5%	19.3%	17.1%	15.5%	12.5%	9.7%	7.2%	8.3%	3.1%	0.9%
2005	7.2%	20.7%	15.4%	13.5%	12.4%	10.5%	7.4%	8.8%	3.1%	1.0%
2006	7.4%	20.6%	15.0%	12.6%	12.0%	10.7%	7.9%	9.2%	3.6%	1.0%
2007	7.5%	20.5%	15.0%	12.2%	12.1%	10.6%	7.9%	9.6%	3.5%	1.2%
2008	6.9%	20.7%	15.3%	12.2%	11.5%	10.1%	8.2%	9.7%	3.9%	1.4%
2009	7.2%	21.0%	15.9%	12.4%	11.2%	10.1%	8.1%	9.0%	3.8%	1.4%
2010	7.1%	20.7%	16.1%	12.3%	11.1%	10.2%	8.0%	9.5%	3.7%	1.4%
2011	6.5%	20.8%	16.8%	12.7%	11.0%	9.5%	7.9%	9.2%	4.0%	1.4%
2012	6.2%	19.9%	17.0%	13.7%	10.7%	9.5%	7.8%	9.3%	4.2%	1.7%
2013	5.9%	18.8%	17.3%	13.9%	11.0%	9.6%	8.2%	9.8%	3.9%	1.6%
2014{{ref\|conviction\|a}}	5.4%	17.7%	16.6%	14.2%	11.4%	9.6%	8.6%	10.4%	4.4%	1.8%

:{{note|conviction|a}} 2014 conviction numbers may not include convictions overturned on appeal.

=Juvenile crimes=

According to official statistics, there has been a total of 20,902 juvenile convictions in 2021 – 7.5 percent more than in 2020. According to a 2021 survey about juvenile crimes, 6.4 percent of respondents aged 14 and 15 admitted participating in a group fight. Shoplifting was the most common offence with 15 percent. Another 10.3 percent carried firearms, batons, large knives or other weapons. Acts of vandalism were committed by 9.4 percent. Five and a half percent trafficked or assisted in trafficking drugs. Burglary was admitted by 1.5 percent, 1.1 percent to vehicle theft. Five percent committed hate crimes; 2.9 percent sent unsolicited or unauthorised intimate pictures. Online fraud and hacking were each admitted by 2.7 percent. Assaults inflicting serious injuries were committed by 2.6 percent. Robbing others with a weapon, violence or serious threat was reported by 1.3 percent.{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-youths-admit-to-shoplifting-and-vandalism--study-found/47958548 | title=Swiss youths admit to shoplifting and vandalism, study found |website=SWI swissinfo.ch| date=6 October 2022 }}

Incarceration

In 2017, 6,863 people were incarcerated in Swiss prisons or pre-trial detention facilities, of which 49.3 percent were legal residents, 9.6 percent were asylum seekers and 41.1 percent were classified "other foreigners" (which includes cross-border workers, undocumented migrants, tourists, and foreigners with no fixed abode in Switzerland). Of the 6,863, 1,673 were undergoing rehabilitation; of these, 49 percent were foreigners with no fixed residence in Switzerland.{{Cite web |title=Why most of Switzerland's prisoners are not Swiss |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/society/crime-statistics_why-are-most-of-switzerland-s-prisoners-foreign-/44897698 |access-date=10 January 2023 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=17 April 2019 |language=en}}

Crime by type

Suspected cases of embezzlement, tax fraud, money laundering and sexual harassment have been reported in 35 percent of companies in Switzerland.{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/whistleblowing_abuse-revealed-in-more-than-a-third-of-swiss-companies/44964418 |title=Survey finds abuse in more than a third of Swiss companies |website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date=15 May 2019 }}

=Money laundering=

{{see also|Anti-Money Laundering Act (Switzerland)|Banking in Switzerland#Connection to illegal activities|Know your customer}}

Swiss banks have served as safe havens for the wealth of dictators, despots, mobsters, arms dealers, corrupt officials, and tax cheats of all kinds.{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/banking-a-crack-in-the-swiss-vault/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521031943/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/banking-a-crack-in-the-swiss-vault/ |work=60 Minutes |publisher=CBS |title=Banking: A Crack In The Swiss Vault |date=30 December 2009 |archive-date=21 May 2014 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/891d5eea-e222-11e1-8e9d-00144feab49a|title=Swiss banks accused over tax evasion|newspaper=Financial Times|date=12 August 2012}}{{Cite news |last=Hjelmgaard |first=Kim |date=22 January 2014 |title=Secret's out on the Swiss bank account |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/01/22/swiss-banking-secrecy/4390231/|work=USA Today|archive-date=22 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122121340/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/01/22/swiss-banking-secrecy/4390231/}}

Money laundering is a criminal offence punishable by the criminal authorities (Art. 305bis of the Swiss Criminal Code).{{Cite web |url=https://www.finma.ch/en/supervision/cross-sector-issues/combating-money-laundering/ |title=FINMA - Combating money laundering in the context of financial market supervision |access-date=21 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222034336/https://www.finma.ch/en/supervision/cross-sector-issues/combating-money-laundering/ |archive-date=22 December 2018 |url-status=dead }} According to the Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland in 2017, official "suspicious activity reports" reached nearly 4,700 (worth $16.2 billion) up from 2,909 reported cases in 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/bribery--fraud--terror-financing_record-reached-for-suspected-money-laundering-reports/44081392 |title = Record reached for suspected money-laundering reports |website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date = 27 April 2018 }}

The Money Laundering Reporting Office is a federal body responsible for receiving and analysing suspicious activity reports in connection with money laundering, terrorist financing, and money of criminal origin, and forwarding them to the law enforcement agencies if necessary.

Under Swiss laws, a company can be held criminally liable for inadequate organisation or failing to take all reasonable measures to prevent a crime from happening.{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/credit-suisse-faces-verdict-in-cocaine-cash-trial/47705438 | title=Credit Suisse faces verdict in cocaine-cash trial |website=SWI swissinfo.ch| date=27 June 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/bloomberg/credit-suisse-hit-with-historic-money-laundering-conviction/47706502 | title=Credit Suisse Hit with Historic Money Laundering Conviction |website=SWI swissinfo.ch| date=27 June 2022 }}

In 1989, the Swiss justice minister had to step down, following allegation of money laundering by her husband. This was the largest case of drug-related money laundering to become public.{{cite news| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1988/12/13/swiss-justice-minister-resigns-amid-scandal/5dab9b00-b666-4440-b2e3-075b491380c2/| title = Swiss Justice Minister Resigns Amid Scandal |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

==Loopholes==

Swiss banks have a legal obligation to record the ultimate beneficial owners of all assets they handle worldwide, but doing so accurately can be tricky in jurisdictions where it is easy for third parties to mask who the owners are.{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/long-shadow-of-russian-money-raises-tricky-questions-for-swiss-bankers/47687348 | title=Long shadow of Russian money raises tricky questions for Swiss bankers |website=SWI swissinfo.ch| date=20 June 2022 }} Thus, loopholes exist through the use of shell companies, trust funds, and proxy directors signing the paperwork without owning the assets.{{cite web |title=Is Switzerland doing enough to freeze Russian assets? |last=Allen |first=Matthew |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=18 May 2022 |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/is-switzerland-doing-enough-to-freeze-russian-assets-/47597540 |access-date=19 May 2022}}

Under current rules, banking institutions and cantonal authorities can only report what's in their registers – looking into the origins of assets or connections between individuals is not permitted (2022).{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/ukraine-urges-switzerland-to-clamp-down-on-russian-money/47467388 |title = Ukraine urges Switzerland to clamp down on Russian money |website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date = 27 March 2022 }} The authorities can access beneficial owner's data only when an investigation has been opened.{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/investigating-swiss-traders--links-to-murky-world-of-russian-oil/48566594 | title=Investigating Swiss traders' links to murky world of Russian oil | date=16 June 2023 }}

SFAO (Swiss Federal Audit Office) points to loopholes in the commodities sector, particularly the purchase of materials for smelting, which is partially excluded from the monitoring of raw materials origins. Control is limited to verification of the trade in already refined gold bars.{{cite web | url=https://www.tdg.ch/larsenal-contre-le-blanchiment-sera-renforce-des-janvier-797503634539 |title=Lutte contre les fonds illicites: l'Arsenal contre le blanchiment sera renforcé dès janvier |trans-title=Fight against illicit funds: The arsenal against money laundering will be reinforced from January |website=Tribune de Genève |date=31 August 2022 |language=fr}}

===Sanctioned countries===

{{see also|International sanctions during the Russian invasion of Ukraine#Switzerland}}

A provision in Swiss law allows its companies' overseas subsidiaries (e.g. in Dubai, Cyprus or Hong Kong) to trade commodities for sanctioned countries (like Russia for example) as long as they are "legally independent".{{cite web | last1=Dempsey |first1=Harry |last2=Cook |first2=Chris |title=Swiss-owned company's Russian gold trades expose gap in western sanctions |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=17 April 2023 |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/swiss-owned-company-s-russian-gold-trades-expose-gap-in-western-sanctions/48441180 |access-date=20 April 2023 |language=en}} Besides, Swiss sanctions law does not apply to its nationals living abroad. The Office of the Attorney General says it can only open an investigation into alleged violations of sanctions if asked to by the SECO. When it comes to sanctions, Switzerland doesn't have a dedicated agency and relies instead on multiple federal agencies, the cantons and the banks for reporting any violations.

==Criticism==

Suspicious activities' real numbers are said to be much higher than those officially reported. Besides, the government rarely follows up on these reports because of lack of means, incentives and a clear legal framework.{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/banking-secrecy-remains-a-business-model-for-swiss-banks/46335412|title = Banking secrecy remains a business model for Swiss banks |last=Romy |first=Katy |date=5 February 2021 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/does-dirty-money-need-banking-secrecy-to-thrive-/46062514|title = Does dirty money need banking secrecy to thrive? |last=Allen |first=Matthew |date=30 September 2020 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en}}

According to the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) the law, as it is currently written, has no dissuasive effect, since companies pay a maximum amount of CHF5 million ($5.2 million), if convicted.

Supervisory body FINMA can warn banks of the risks they are taking following "suspicious activity reports", but the decision to accept a customer is ultimately up to the bank, with banks fearing to lose their customers to foreign or domestic competitors in some cases.

In February 2022, the European People's Party of the European Parliament proposed reviewing Swiss banking practices and money laundering status in response to the Suisse Secrets leaks, asking the European Commission to reclassify Switzerland as a high-risk country for financial crime.{{cite news|title=EU Parliament's top group suggests blacklisting Switzerland after Credit Suisse leaks |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/eu-parliaments-top-group-suggests-blacklisting-switzerland-after-credit-suisse-2022-02-21/ |date=21 February 2022 |work=Reuters |access-date=21 February 2022}}

According to SFAO, the real estate sector in Switzerland is still an attractive place to introduce funds of illegal origin into the legal financial circuit.{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-should-get-tougher-on-money-laundering--says-report/47862636 | title=Switzerland should get tougher on money-laundering, says report |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=30 August 2022 |language=en}}

According to the Basel Institute on Governance in 2022, Switzerland ranks 95th out of 129 countries when it comes to money laundering and corruption risks.{{cite web |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/dirty-money-remains-threat-to-society--says-watchdog/47947870 | title=Dirty money remains threat to society, says watchdog |last=Allen |first=Matthew |date=4 October 2022 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en}}{{cite news |url=https://www.letemps.ch/economie/largent-sale-entre-suisse |title=De l'argent sale entre encore en Suisse |trans-title=Dirty money still enters Switzerland |last=Etwareea |first=Ram |newspaper=Le Temps |date=4 October 2022 |language=fr}}

In 2022, financier Bill Browder criticized Switzerland for being "the money-laundering capital of the world".{{cite web | title=Bill Browder: Swiss record on fighting money laundering is 'shocking' | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=2022-10-10 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/bill-browder--swiss-record-on-fighting-money-laundering-is--shocking--/47958246 | access-date=2023-07-15}}

==Reforms==

As of 2023, financial intermediaries are required to verify the identity of customers, record which services have been provided to them, and clarify their background and purpose. Swiss-based charities must appoint a representative in Switzerland and keep a list of their members for five years. The new rules also oblige banks to inform the Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MLROS) of criminal funds, which they did not always disclose.{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/minister--swiss-financial-advisers-must-comply-with-money-laundering-law--/48315244 |title=Minister: Swiss financial advisers must comply with money laundering law |date=25 February 2023 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en}}

Swiss NGO Public Eye has recommended the creation of a supervisory authority for the commodities sector to improve the tracking of the actual owners of trading firms and ensure that commodities don't originate in conflict zones or countries subject to international sanctions.{{cite web |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-government-wants-more-oversight-of-commodity-trading-sector/48332446 | title=Swiss government wants more oversight of commodity trading sector |date=4 March 2023 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch}} As of 2023, Swiss companies using blockchain technology for the tracing of commodities such as gold or diamonds (from mining to commercialization) are slowly emerging.{{cite web | last=Plancade | first=Joan | title=Blockchain – Origyn signe un leader mondial de la certification de diamants | website=Bilan | date=2023-10-17 | url=https://www.bilan.ch/story/blockchain-origyn-signe-un-leader-mondial-de-la-certification-de-diamants-782962674982 | language=fr | access-date=2023-11-12}}

In addition, FATF and Transparency International are demanding that lawyers, financial advisors plus real estate and art transactions be subject to the same exacting anti-money laundering measures as banks.{{cite web | last=James | first=Helen | title=The impact of Russia sanctions on Swiss banks | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=2023-09-01 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/the-impact-of-russia-sanctions-on-swiss-banks/48751978 | access-date=2023-09-06}}{{cite web | last=Ruche | first=Sébastien | title=La Suisse doit soumettre les avocats et fiduciaires à la loi sur le blanchiment d’argent, rappelle le GAFI | website=Le Temps | date=2023-11-03 | url=https://www.letemps.ch/economie/finance/la-suisse-doit-soumettre-les-avocats-et-fiduciaires-a-la-loi-sur-le-blanchiment-d-argent-rappelle-le-gafi | language=fr | access-date=2023-11-04}}

==Terrorism financing==

Regulation of money laundering in Switzerland includes the Federal Act on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Anti-Money Laundering Act, AMLA) which requires financial intermediaries such as investment banks or insurance companies to comply with due diligence and disclosure requirements.{{cite web |url=https://www.tdg.ch/la-lutte-contre-le-blanchiment-dargent-sera-consolidee-416777022793 |title=Suisse – la lutte contre le blanchiment d'argent sera consolidée |trans-title=Switzerland – the fight against money laundering will be strengthened |website=Tribune de Genève |date=10 March 2021 |language=fr}}{{cite web |title=SR 955.0 Federal Act of 10 October 1997 on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in the Financial Sector (Anti-Money Laundering Act, AMLA) |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1998/892_892_892/en |website=Fedlex |publisher=Swiss Federal Chancellery}}

According to the Swiss Federal Prosecutor's office and media, in the 1990s and early 2000s Al Qaeda members had accounts at Swiss banks, including UBS.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/09/11/osamas-bank-account|title = Osama's Bank Account |last=Coll |first=Steve |magazine=The New Yorker |date=3 September 2006}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/bin-laden-linked-to-swiss-bank-accounts/3659586 |title=Bin Laden linked to Swiss bank accounts |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=4 December 2003}}

==Assets seizure==

Swiss authorities can freeze assets if the law requires them to. However, seizing assets is only permitted in cases involving crime or for destituted potentates.{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/could-switzerland-seize-russian-assets-to-rebuild-ukraine-/47691436 | title=Could Switzerland seize Russian assets to rebuild Ukraine? |website=SWI swissinfo.ch| date=22 June 2022 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.letemps.ch/economie/confisquer-avoirs-russes-tres-difficile-selon-droit-suisse |title=Confisquer des avoirs russes: Très difficile selon le droit suisse |newspaper=Le Temps |date=31 May 2022 |language=fr}}

According to Article 72 of the Swiss criminal code, "all assets that are subject to the power of disposal of a criminal or terrorist organisation" can be permanently confiscated. "In the case of assets belonging to a person who participates in or supports such an organisation (Art. 260), it is presumed that the assets are subject to the power of disposal of the organisation until the contrary is proven." According to experts, the forfeiture rule "does not violate the property guarantee".{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/-switzerland-has-legal-basis-to-use-frozen-russian-money-for-ukraine-/48256312 | title='Switzerland has the legal basis to use frozen Russian money for Ukraine' |last=Pieth |first=Mark |date=5 February 2023 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch}}

= Drugs =

{{See also|Health in Switzerland#Illegal drugs|Cannabis in Switzerland|Legal status of cocaine}}

{{As of|2017}} drug use was the most common reason why people aged 10–18 were reported by police (being filed, being fined, or reported to justice), however dealing has been diminished since 2010.{{cite news |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/criminal-convictions_youth-crime--more-drug-use--less-dealing/44241418 |title=Youth crime: more drug use, less dealing |website=SWI swissinfo.ch, a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR |date=6 July 2018 |access-date=18 July 2018}}

According to Addiction Switzerland, "Illegal substances can be found in cities quickly and relatively easily".{{Cite web|url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/drug-use_why-swiss-cities-dominate-the-cocaine-hit-parade/44736466 |title=Why Swiss cities dominate the cocaine hit parade |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=6 February 2019}}

Cannabis use among adolescents and young adults in Switzerland has increased significantly within ten years. In 2017, nine percent of adolescents and young adults aged 15–24 reported having used cannabis in the past month.{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/health-statistics_cancer-cases-and-cannabis-use-on-the-rise-in-switzerland/45332184 |title=Cancer cases and cannabis use on the rise in Switzerland |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=29 October 2019}} The figures are much higher in the 20–24 age bracket, with 14 percent of men and 6.5 percent of women saying they had consumed cannabis in the past 30 days.{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-addiction-tobacco-vaping-alcohol-drugs-gambling/45540200 |last=Misicka |first=Susan |title=What people in Switzerland are addicted to |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=5 February 2020}}

According to a recent study, 5 Swiss cities (St Gallen, Bern, Zurich, Basel and Geneva) were listed among the top 10 European cities for cocaine use.

Swiss authorities, including CHUV, estimate that dealers and traffickers make profits of $28.1-29.1 million a year in Vaud alone.{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/drug-study_swiss-cocaine-market-estimated-at-five-tonnes-a-year/44252426|title = Swiss cocaine market estimated at five tonnes a year |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=12 July 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.iumsp.ch/fr/node/7958 |title=Le marché des stupéfiants dans le canton de Vaud. Partie 1 : les opioïdes |website=IUMSP |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123735/https://www.iumsp.ch/fr/node/7958 |archive-date=9 December 2018 |language=fr}}

Analysis of Swiss police records suggests that participants in medical drug rehabilitation programs tend to reduce cocaine, cannabis and heroin use,Uchtenhagen et al., 1999 and the need to commit other crimes to buy their drugs, such as shoplifting, burglary or car theft.{{Cite journal| last=Ribeaud |first=Denis |title=Long-term Impacts of the Swiss Heroin Prescription Trials on Crime of Treated Heroin Users |journal=Journal of Drug Issues (Tallahassee, Florida: University of Florida)|year= 2004 |page=187}}{{Cite web|url=http://drugwarfacts.org/region/switzerland |title=Switzerland |website=Drug Policy Facts |date=7 July 2021}}

In 2022, a near all-time record Brazilian shipment of 500 kg of cocaine was intercepted by the Swiss authorities at a Nespresso factory in Fribourg.{{cite news |url=https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/une-demitonne-cocaine-saisie-lusine-nespresso-romont |title=Une demi-tonne de cocaïne saisie à l'usine Nespresso de Romont |newspaper=Le Temps |date=5 May 2022 |language=fr}} In 2023, the probe was "paused" in Switzerland, allegedly for failure to identify the perpetrators.{{cite web | title=Prosecutors suspend probe into cocaine seizure at Swiss Nespresso factory | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=2023-09-13 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/-prosecutors-suspend-probe-into-cocaine-seizure-at-swiss-nespresso-factory/48808418 | access-date=2023-09-13}}

According to a 2023 study, between ten and fifteen percent of the people who drive a vehicle in Switzerland are under the influence of dangerous substances (including cocaine).{{cite web |title=Study finds cocaine popular among drivers in Switzerland |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/study-finds-cocaine-popular-among-drivers-on-swiss-roads-/48334914 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |access-date=8 March 2023 |date=6 March 2023}}

Basel and its ports on the Rhine are said to be one of the main access points for the cocaine arriving in Europe.{{cite web | last=Kern | first=Thomas | last2=Beti | first2=Luca | title=Switzerland, an unsuspected hub for international cocaine trafficking | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=2024-03-15 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/life-aging/switzerland-an-unsuspected-hub-for-international-cocaine-trafficking/73719547 | access-date=2024-05-16}}

=Theft=

19 cars are stolen in Switzerland every day (2021).{{Cite web|url=https://www.tdg.ch/dix-neuf-voitures-volees-chaque-jour-en-suisse-887019600661 |title=Classement – Dix-neuf voitures volées chaque jour en Suisse |date=14 December 2021 |website=Tribune de Genève |language=fr}} Forty thousand bikes are stolen each year (2022).{{cite AV media |people=Jeannet, François; Magnin, Pascal |date=15 November 2022 |title=A la recherche du meilleur cadenas |trans-title=In search of the best padlock |series=A bon entendeur |type=Television production |language=fr |url=https://pages.rts.ch/emissions/abe/test/13435514-cadenas-de-velo-tests-de-resistance.html#13543528 |access-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url= |archive-date= |time=3:50 |publisher=RTS Radio Télévision Suisse |quote=En Suisse, on compte 40,000 vols de vélos par année}}

=Burglary=

According to official statistics, Swiss police recorded 35,732 burglaries in 2022, which is a 14.6% rise compared to 2021.{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/burglaries-in-switzerland-rise-for-first-time-in-ten-years/48394646 | title=Burglaries in Switzerland rise for first time in ten years | date=27 March 2023 }}

= Homicide =

In 2019, there were 161 attempted and 46 completed homicides, for a homicide rate of 0.54 per 100,000 population, one of the lowest rates in the world. Of the 207 cases, 105 were committed with bladed weapons, twenty with firearms and 47 unarmed. Out of 229 identified suspects; 197 were male, 126 (55%) were foreigners of which 72 had permanent residence. Twenty-nine cases (63%) of completed and 50 cases (31%) of attempted homicide were classed as domestic violence.{{cite book |url=https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home.assetdetail.2160352.html |title=Polizeiliche Kriminalstatistik (PKS) - Jahresbericht 2019 |date=2020 |publisher=Swiss Federal Statistical Office (SFO) |location=Neuchâtel, Switzerland |language=fr, de, it |type=official federal site |pages=13, 26, 35–40 |format=PDF |isbn=978-3-303-19082-1 |access-date=3 August 2020}}

= Cybercriminality=

In 2016, 14,033 cybercrime cases were reported to police in Switzerland, compared to 11,575 in 2015 and 5,330 in 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/theft-extortion-blackmail_cybercrime-is-skyrocketing-in-switzerland/43226430 |title=Cybercrime is skyrocketing in Switzerland |website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date=June 2017 }} Swiss media reported that over three million Swiss email usernames and associated passwords are available on the net since 2019. These include login details of government ministers, government employees and the military.{{Cite web|url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/cyber-insecurity_army-and-ministers-among-millions-of-hacked-swiss-e-mails/44805570 |title=Army and ministers among millions of hacked Swiss E-mails |website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date=6 March 2019 }}

In 2019, computer-related infractions include the fraudulent misuse of a computer (5,583 cases in 2019, a rise of 598 relative to 2018) and pornography-related offenses (2,387 cases, a jump of over 50 percent).{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/annual-stats_fraud-and-online-crime-on-the-rise-in-switzerland/45636712 |title = Fraud and online crime on the rise in Switzerland |website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date = 23 March 2020 }}

In total, some 30,351 crimes were reported in the virtual space in 2021 (with online sales of “non-existent goods” being the most common crime).{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss-cyber-crime-incidents-increase-by-a-quarter/47469694 |title=Swiss cyber-crime incidents increase by a quarter |website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date=28 March 2022 }}

In 2023, the Swiss government was the target of a major cyber-attack which purportedly stole very sensitive data that could endanger its national security and which was later available for sale on the dark web.{{cite news | last=Seydtaghia | first=Anouch | title=Des données ultrasensibles sur la sécurité de la Suisse sont en ligne sur le darknet | website=Le Temps | date=2023-07-02 | url=https://www.letemps.ch/economie/cyber/des-donnees-ultrasensibles-sur-la-securite-de-la-suisse-sont-en-ligne-sur-le-darknet | language=fr | access-date=2023-07-15}}

=Sex crimes=

The Swiss legal definition of rape is "an assault during vaginal sexual intercourse with a woman", thus exempting men from the status of rape victims.{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/society/criminal-law_why-men-can-t-be-rape-victims-in-switzerland/44405128 |title = Why men can't be rape victims in Switzerland |last=Bondolfi |first=Sibilla |date=18 September 2018 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |language=en}} Rape is punished by a prison sentence of one to ten years.{{Cite web|title=SR 311.0 Swiss Criminal Code of 21 December 1937: Art. 190 |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/54/757_781_799/en#art_190 |website=Fedlex |publisher=Swiss Federal Chancellery}} Indecent assault, which includes "sexual acts similar to intercourse or any sexual act" (kissing, groping), is punished by a monetary fine for lighter crimes or a prison sentence of up to ten years. The sex of the victim is not specified.{{Cite web|title=SR 311.0 Swiss Criminal Code of 21 December 1937: Art. 189 |url=https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/54/757_781_799/en#art_189 |website=Fedlex |publisher=Swiss Federal Chancellery}} The Swiss police recorded 867 rape offences in 2022.{{cite web | title=Burglaries in Switzerland rise for first time in ten years | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=2023-03-27 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/society/burglaries-in-switzerland-rise-for-first-time-in-ten-years/48394646 | access-date=2023-06-29}}

==Pedocriminality==

In 2018 alone, the FBI reported 9,000 cases of child pornography and pedo-criminality originating in Switzerland, to the Swiss authorities (FedPol).{{Cite web|url=https://www.rts.ch/info/suisse/10134605-le-fbi-transmet-plus-de-cas-presumes-de-pedopornographie-a-fedpol.html|title = Le FBI transmet plus de cas présumés de pédopornographie à Fedpol|date = 13 January 2019}} It is unclear what the Swiss police does with this list. Other reports have been compiled in recent years by private organizations on this subject.{{cite web | url=https://swprs.org/geopolitics-and-pedocriminality/ | title=Geopolitics and Pedocriminality }}

Cases of sexual abuse reported in the Catholic Church rose from 9 cases in 2012 to 65 in 2017 (63 percent of victims were 16 or younger and 27 percent were 12 or younger).{{Cite web|url=https://lenews.ch/2018/09/07/steep-rise-in-number-of-catholic-church-sexual-abuse-reports-in-switzerland/|title=Steep rise in number of Catholic church sexual abuse reports in Switzerland|date=7 September 2018}}

{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/spirit-of-openness_swiss-catholic-church-to-step-up-sexual-abuse-reports/44375160 |title = Swiss Catholic Church to step up sexual abuse reports |website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date = 5 September 2018 }} But a study conducted by the University of Zurich in 2023 revealed that 1,000 cases of sexual abuse in the Swiss Catholic Church have occurred since 1950 referencing 510 offenders and 921 victims.{{cite web | title=Sweeping study finds 1,000 cases of sexual abuse in Swiss Catholic Church since 1950 | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=2023-09-12 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/priests-committed-over-1-000-sex-crimes-in-switzerland-since-1950/48804720 | access-date=2023-09-12}} The study says it might be "the tip of the iceberg" only.{{cite web | title=MSN | website=msn.com | date=2023-09-25 | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/nearly-1000-sex-abuse-cases-found-in-swiss-church/ar-AA1gCnVP | access-date=2023-09-25}}

=Hate crimes=

In Switzerland public discrimination or invoking to rancor against persons or a group of people because of their race, ethnicity, is penalized with a term of imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine. In 1934, the authorities of the Canton of Basel-Stadt criminalized anti-Jewish hate speech, e.g., the accusation of ritual murders, mostly in reaction against a pro-Nazi antisemitic group and newspaper, the Volksbund.{{Cite news|url=http://edocs.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/volltexte/2008/38044/original/Stimme_409.pdf |title=Basel verbiete jede Diffamierung von Juden und Judentum |date=14 December 1934 |publisher=Die Stimme – Jüdische Zeitung |language=de |access-date=12 November 2009 |location=Vienna |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719105326/http://edocs.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/volltexte/2008/38044/original/Stimme_409.pdf |archive-date=19 July 2011 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture/how-christian-europe-created-anti-semitism-in-the-middle-ages/47800164 | title=How Christian Europe created anti-Semitism in the Middle Ages |website=SWI swissinfo.ch| date=23 August 2022 }}

In 2019, over 350 racist incidents were reported to the authorities. These cases relate to xenophobia (145 cases), anti-Black discrimination (132 cases) and anti-Muslim discrimination (55 cases), which is a "small percentage" of the overall racist incidents in Switzerland according to the authorities.{{Cite news|url=https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/nombre-dincidents-racistes-signales-suisse-continue-daugmenter|title = Le nombre d'incidents racistes signalés en Suisse continue d'augmenter|newspaper = Le Temps|date = 27 April 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/expert-group-criticises-systemic-racism-in-switzerland/47295496 |title = Expert group criticises systemic racism in Switzerland |website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date = 26 January 2022 }}

In 2020, xenophobia was found to be the most frequent motive (304 cases) for discrimination, followed by discrimination against black people (206 cases) and Muslims (55 cases).{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/society/swiss-record-almost-600-cases-of-racial-discrimination-in-2020/46544392|title=Swiss record almost 600 cases of racial discrimination in 2020 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date=18 April 2021 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/growing-up-as-a-swiss-muslim-in-the-shadow-of-9-11/46963476 |title = The challenges for young Swiss Muslims after 9/11 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date = 5 October 2021 }} In 2021, 41 cases of anti-Asian racism were reported for the first time.{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/society/annual-racism-report-flags-630-cases-of-discrimination/47540788 | title=Annual racism report flags 630 cases of discrimination |website=SWI swissinfo.ch| date=24 April 2022 }} There were also 92 reports of anti-LGBT hate crimes in 2021.{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/hate-crimes-against-lgbtq-on-the-rise-in-switzerland/47599858 | title=Hate crimes against LGBTQ on the rise in Switzerland |website=SWI swissinfo.ch| date=17 May 2022 }}

As of 2023, three out of 100 Swiss have experienced a hate crime. According to the same study, in 40.1% of the cases, the assault was based on origin, followed by assaults based on gender and appearance and with insults being the most common offense.{{cite web | title=Three out of 100 Swiss have experienced a hate crime | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=2023-08-24 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/three-out-of-100-swiss-have-experienced-a--hate-crime-/48759080 | access-date=2023-08-30}}

= Corruption =

Council of Europe's Group of State Against Corruption (GRECO) in its evaluation report noted that specificities of Switzerland's institutions which enjoy considerable public confidence. It underlines, however, that the very organisation of the system allows subtle pressure to be exerted on politicians and the judiciary.{{Cite news |url=http://www.coe.int/en/web/greco/-/council-of-europe-s-anti-corruption-body-calls-on-switzerland-to-develop-ethical-rules-applicable-to-federal-members-of-parliament-judges-and-prosecut |title=Council of Europe's Anti-Corruption body calls on Switzerland to develop ethical rules applicable to federal members of parliament, judges and prosecutors |publisher=Council of Europe |website=Group of States against Corruption |access-date=23 March 2017}}

Transparency International's 2017 Corruption Perception Index ranks Switzerland as the 5th least corrupt state out of 180 countries.{{Cite web |url=https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/corruption_perceptions_index_2017 |title=Corruption Perception Index 2017 |date=21 February 2018 |publisher=Transparency International |location=Berlin, Germany |access-date=18 July 2019}}

In 2018 the Tax Justice Network ranked Switzerland's banking sector as the "most corrupt" in the world due to a large offshore banking industry and very strict secrecy laws. The ranking attempts to measure how much assistance the country's legal systems provide to money laundering, and to protecting corruptly obtained wealth.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thelocal.ch/20180131/switzerland-remains-top-of-financial-secrecy-ranking-as-us-rises-to-second |title=Switzerland remains top of 'financial secrecy' ranking as US rises to second |date=31 January 2018 |access-date=18 July 2019 |language=en-GB}} The Helsinki Commission of the US Congress has strongly criticized the functioning of the Swiss judiciary and courts in 2023; namely by saying they are "corrupt".{{cite web | title=Fonds russes gelés en Suisse – Berne intervient contre les critiques américaines de la justice suisse | website=24 heures | date=2023-08-04 | url=https://www.24heures.ch/berne-intervient-contre-les-critiques-americaines-de-la-justice-suisse-363177151040 | language=fr | access-date=2023-08-09}}

= White collar crime =

In 2020, Swiss courts dealt with 52 major cases of economic crime that amounted to CHF355 million ($384 million) in losses. Most cases related to social security and insurance fraud.{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/swiss-public-institutions-hit-hard-by-white-collar-crime/46536886 |title = Swiss public institutions hit hard by white-collar crime |website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date = 15 April 2021 }}

Crime dynamics

=Immigrant criminality=

The crime rate among resident foreigners ("immigrant criminality") is significantly higher (by a factor 3.7 counting convictions under criminal law in 2003).[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/news/medienmitteilungen.Document.22935.html Swiss Federal Statistics Office]

In 1997, there were for the first time more foreigners than Swiss among the convicts under criminal law (out of a fraction of 20.6 percent of the total population at the time). In 1999, the Federal Department of Justice and Police ordered a study regarding delinquency and nationality (Arbeitsgruppe "Ausländerkriminalität"), which in its final report (2001) found that a conviction rate under criminal law about 12 times higher among asylum seekers (four percent), while the conviction rate among other resident foreigners was about twice as high (0.6%) compared to Swiss citizens (0.3%).{{Cite web |url=http://bfm.mit.ch/index.php?id=184&L=3&S=1 |title=Federal Department of Justice and Police study |access-date=2 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205003647/http://bfm.mit.ch/index.php?id=184 |archive-date=5 February 2007 |url-status=dead }}

Year \|\| Total persons convicted \|\| Total adults convicted \|\| Swiss adults convicted \|\| Total non-citizen adults convicted \|\| Percentage of non-citizen adult convictions \|\| B, C and Ci visa holders convicted \|\| Other immigration status \|\| Unknown immigration status
class="wikitable sortable" \|+Individuals convicted of violations of the Strafgesetzbuches (StGB)[http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/19/03/03/key/ueberblick/02.html Swiss Federal Statistics Office - Kriminalität, Strafvollzug – Daten, Indikatoren Verurteile Personen: Jugendliche und Erwachsene] accessed 3 August 2016
1999	27,493	21,101	10,314	10,787	51.1%	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}
2000	26,692	20,609	10,201	10,408	50.5%	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}
2001	26,804	20,052	10,233	9,819	49.0%	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}
2002	27,930	20,925	10,307	10,618	50.7%	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}
2003	30,068	22,966	11,115	11,851	51.6%	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}
2004	33,167	25,559	12,357	13,202	51.7%	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}
2005	33,778	26,198	13,025	13,173	50.3%	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}
2006	34,350	26,582	13,347	13,235	49.8%	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}
2007	31,189	24,280	12,455	11,825	48.7%	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}	{{ref\|a\|a}}
2008	33,326	26,350	13,433	12,917	49.0%	6,746	4,619	1,552
2009	34,683	27,752	13,452	14,300	51.5%	7,397	5,410	1,493
2010	36,318	28,702	13,612	15,090	52.6%	7,377	6,228	1,485
2011	34,591	29,162	13,108	16,054	55.1%	7,317	7,366	1,371
2012	39,043	33,969	14,095	19,874	58.5%	7,989	9,922	1,963
2013	40,726	35,528	14,309	21,219	59.7%	8,345	10,568	2,306
2014	38,906	33,995	14,052	19,943	58.7%	8,577	9,362	2,004
2015 {{ref\|b\|b}}	36,017	31,560	13,423	18,137	57.5%	8,151	8,305	1,681

: {{note|a|a}} Specific immigration status not collected

: {{note|b|b}} Final number may change due to appeals and trials still in progress

In 2010 for the first time was a statistic published which listed delinquency by nationality (based on 2009 data).

To avoid distortions due to demographic structure, only the male population aged between 18 and 34 was considered for each group. From this study it became clear that crime rate is highly correlated on the country of origin of the various migrant groups.

Thus, immigrants from Germany, France and Austria had a significantly lower crime rate than Swiss citizens (60% to 80%), while immigrants from Angola, Nigeria and Algeria had a crime rate of above 600 percent of that of Swiss population.

In between these extremes were immigrants from former Yugoslavia, with crime rates of between 210 and 300 percent of the Swiss value.[http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/schweiz/standard/Neue-Statistik-Tamilen-sind-krimineller-als-ExJugoslawen/story/27784193 Neue Statistik: Tamilen sind krimineller als Ex-Jugoslawen], Tages-Anzeiger 12 September 2010.

The full report listed 24 nationalities plus the crime rate of Swiss citizens (fixed at 100 percent), and the average value of all foreign citizens combined, at 160 percent. Commentators expressed surprise

so Alard du Bois-Reymond, director of the Federal Office for Migration, see e.g. [http://www.blick.ch/news/schweiz/angolaner-sind-die-top-kriminellen-in-der-schweiz-156352 Blick], 12 September 2010. at the clear geographical structure of the list, giving, in decreasing order, Africa, the Middle East and the Balkans, Southern Europe and Western and Central Europe.

The Federal Statistics Office published the study with the caveat that the sizes of the groups under comparison vary considerably.

For example, the net impact of a crime rate increased by 530 percent among 500 Angolans will still be five times smaller than a crime rate increased by thirty percent among 46,000 Portuguese. The country is a target for foreign criminals on account of its reputation as an affluent nation.

class="wikitable sortable"
Rank	Country of origin	Crime rate (relative value)	Registered population (thousands)data from [http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/07/blank/data/01.html Swiss Federal Statistics Office]	Male young adults (thousands)aged 20–39; data from [http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/01/07/blank/data/01.html Swiss Federal Statistics Office]
1	Angola	6.3	4.4	0.54
2	Nigeria	6.2	2.9	1.5
3	Algeria	6.0	4.1	1.2
4	Côte d'Ivoire	5.9	1.7	0.44
5	Dominican Republic	5.8	5.9	1.0
6	Sri Lanka	4.7	31	4.4
7	Congo (Kinshasa)	4.7	5.8	0.78
8	Cameroon	4.4	4.3	0.97
9	Morocco	4.3	7.4	1.6
10	Tunisia	4.2	6.3	2.1
11	Iraq	3.7	8.0	2.9
12	Colombia	3.2	4.2	0.71
13	Turkey	3.2	73	16
14	the former Serbia and Montenegro (includes Kosovo)	3.1	188	36
15	Brazil	3.0	17	2.5
16	Egypt	2.7	2.1	0.81
17	Croatia	2.4	35	5.0
18	Bosnia and Herzegovina	2.3	37	6.2
19	North Macedonia	2.3	60	12
	total foreign national population	1.6	1,714	330
20	Portugal	1.3	213	46
21	Italy	1.2	294	49
22	Switzerland	1.0	6,072	710
23	Austria	0.8	38	5.8
24	France	0.7	95	21
25	Germany	0.6	266	62

On 28 November 2010, fifty-three percent of voters approved a new, tougher deportation law. This law, proposed by the Swiss People's Party, called for the automatic expulsion of non-Swiss offenders convicted of a number of crimes, including murder, breaking and entry and even welfare fraud. As the proposal makes deportation mandatory, it denies judges any judicial discretion over deportation. An alternative proposal, that included case by case reviews and integration measures, was rejected by 54 percent of voters.{{cite web |url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/Specials/Vote_2010-11-28/News/Swiss_approve_foreign_criminal_initiative.html?cid=28899524 |title= Swiss approve foreign criminal initiative |date= 28 November 2010 |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |access-date=29 November 2010}}

Organized crime

{{see also|Corruption in Switzerland#Banking|Banking in Switzerland|Italian mafia|Romanian mafia|Albanian mafia#Switzerland|Russian mafia}}

Swiss banks have served as safe havens for the wealth of dictators, despots, mobsters, arms dealers, corrupt officials, and tax cheats of all kinds.{{Cite news |last=Shotter |first=James |date=12 August 2012 |title=Swiss banks accused over tax evasion |website=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/891d5eea-e222-11e1-8e9d-00144feab49a |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 April 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/attorney-general-charges-credit-suisse-in-bulgarian-money-laundering-case/46230890|title=Attorney General charges Credit Suisse in Bulgarian money-laundering case |website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date=17 December 2020 }}{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-17/credit-suisse-charged-over-money-laundering-by-cocaine-ring | title=Credit Suisse Charged over Money Laundering in Cocaine Ring |work=Bloomberg |date=17 December 2020}}

In 2022, Swiss media reported that one of Switzerland's top prosecutors (Dick Marty) was the target of an assassination plot by the Serbian government and Serbian mafia.{{cite web | url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/04/12/dick-marty-serbian-intelligence-denies-alleged-assassination-plot-against-swiss-prosecutor | title=Serbian intelligence denies alleged murder plot on Swiss prosecutor | date=12 April 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.tdg.ch/le-crime-organise-ne-peut-pas-fonctionner-sans-protection-politique-437785504593 | title=Interview de Saša Djordjević: "Le crime organisé ne peut pas fonctionner sans protection politique" |last=Parvex|first=Marie |date=16 April 2022 |website=Tribune de Genève |language=fr}}

According to the Swiss attorney general in 2022, one of Switzerland's "great weaknesses" is that his federal agency has no national overview to combat organized crime because of the federal structure of Switzerland and the relative independence of the cantons.{{cite web | title=Attorney General: Swiss must step up fight against mafia |website=SWI swissinfo.ch |date=26 November 2022 |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/politics/attorney-general--swiss-must-step-up-fight-against-mafia/48088492 |access-date=5 December 2022}} Besides, FedPol says it needs at least 200 more investigators to do its job correctly.{{cite web | title=Swiss police boss calls for more resources to fight mafia | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=2023-08-03 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/swiss-police-boss-calls-for-more-resources-to-fight-mafia/48708628 | access-date=2023-08-04}}

In May 2023, OFAC imposed new sanctions on Swiss-based DuLac Capital Ltd and its Swiss director for Russia (Anselm Oskar Schmucki) allegedly for close ties to the Russian mafia and for facilitating financial transactions on their behalf via a global network of shell companies.{{cite web | title=With Over 300 Sanctions, U.S. Targets Russia's Circumvention and Evasion, Military-Industrial Supply Chains, and Future Energy Revenues | website=U.S. Department of the Treasury | url=https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1494 | access-date=2023-06-01}}{{cite web | last=Battersby | first=Mark | title=US sanctions Zurich-headquartered asset manager and its UAE-based regional head | website=InternationalInvestment | date=2023-05-24 | url=https://www.internationalinvestment.net/news/4116335/us-sanctions-zurich-headquartered-asset-manager-uae-regional-head | access-date=2023-06-01}} The director of the company says it is only "guilt by association".

According to the director of FedPol in 2023, Switzerland is attractive to criminal networks in many areas as a hiding place, for drugs, arms, human trafficking, burglaries and ATM robberies.{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/police-chief--switzerland-is--too-attractive--for-organised-crime/48617730 | title=Police chief: Switzerland is 'too attractive' for organised crime | date=25 June 2023 }}

According to FedPol in 2020, about 400 members of the Italian mafia live in Switzerland.{{cite web | title=Mafia numbers in Switzerland higher than previously thought | website=SWI swissinfo.ch | date=2020-07-26 | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/society/mafia-numbers-in-switzerland-higher-than-previously-thought/45928000 | access-date=2023-09-13}}

=Human trafficking=

{{main|Human trafficking in Switzerland|Prostitution in Switzerland}}

The number of victims of human trafficking in Switzerland allegedly increased by fifty percent between 2019 and 2021 from 142 to 207. About two-thirds of the victims were trafficked for sexual purposes, the rest for labour exploitation and criminal activities.{{cite web | url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/sharp-rise-in-human-trafficking-victims-in-switzerland/47986952 | title=Sharp rise in human trafficking victims in Switzerland |website=SWI swissinfo.ch| date=18 October 2022 }}

Notes and references

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20100605200349/http://www.havocscope.com/regions-main/europe/switzerland/ Switzerland Black Markets]

Category:Law of Switzerland