About the Journal

Editor-in-Chief:  Prof. Nikos Passas 
Abbreviated key title: J. Illicit Trade Financ. Crime Compli.
ISSN (online): 3070-6122
Published by: United Scholars Publishing
Access model: Open-Access
Publication model: Continuous publication

The Journal of Illicit Trade, Financial Crime, and Compliance (JITFCC) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal dedicated to advancing scholarly research, policy analysis, and professional practice on the prevention, detection, regulation, and enforcement of illicit trade, financial crime, and regulatory compliance. Under the leadership of Prof. Passas JITFCC publishes rigorous interdisciplinary scholarship that explores the causes, consequences, prevention, and governance of illicit trade, financial crime, and regulatory compliance within national, regional, and global contexts. The journal will also bridge theory and practice in combating transnational financial crimes.

Aims and Scope

The JITFCC provides a platform for publishing original research, critical reviews, policy analyses, case studies, and innovative practices that deepen understanding of three core areas:

Illicit Trade

  • Smuggling and counterfeit goods
  • Human trafficking and modern slavery
  • Narcotics and illegal arms trade
  • Environmental crimes (wildlife trafficking, illegal logging)

Financial Crime

  • Money laundering and terrorist financing
  • Fraud (cyberfraud, corporate fraud, investment scams)
  • Corruption and bribery (with focus on transnational cases)
  • Tax evasion, offshore financial secrecy, and illicit flows

Compliance and Enforcement

  • Anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF)
  • Sanctions and export controls
  • Corporate governance and ethical business practices
  • Public-private partnerships in crime prevention

By bringing together perspectives from academia, government, law enforcement, international organizations, financial institutions, industry, and the legal profession, JITFCC seeks to promote collaboration, inform public policy, and contribute to the development of effective strategies for preventing, detecting, investigating, and combating illicit financial activities and transnational economic crime.

Target Readership

  • Academics (e.g., criminology, law, economics)
  • Policymakers (e.g., FATF, FinCEN, EU Commission)
  • Financial institutions & compliance officers
  • Law enforcement (e.g., Interpol, Europol, CBI)
  • International organizations (e.g., UNODC, World Bank)