Transnational crime, organized crime, money laundering and corruption are four concepts that have gained and continue to gain an international and domestic profile. Is the information given to the public concerning these concepts distorted by the vested interests of some politicians, media, police, and international organizations whose existence or enhanced resources depend on the perception that there is an ever-growing 'threat'? Countries are expected to react to organized crime and corruption in a uniform manner based upon various agreements, conventions, and accords, but at what cost are these enforcement measures applied, and do they in fact effectively address the specific criminal activity?