Contract killing is the act of hiring someone to murder another person for a fee. This illegal activity often involves a contractor, who is the person that arranges the killing, and a hitman, who carries out the act. The motivations behind contract killings can vary, including financial gain, revenge, or eliminating competition. Typically, contract killings are planned and executed discreetly to avoid detection by law enforcement. They can involve complex networks of individuals and may include various methods of communication to ensure secrecy. Law enforcement agencies work to combat this crime through investigations and intelligence gathering.