We present to your attention a list of the ten most famous American gangsters who took their specific places in history and who served as the impetus for the writing of numerous books and films.
Sam Giancana
Sam Giancana - famous American gangster and Chicago Mafia boss from 1957 to 1966. Born June 15, 1908 in Chicago, USA. He began his criminal career in the Chicago teenage street gang Forty-Two Gang. It is believed that it was Giancana, together with several other gangsters, who helped the CIA eliminate Cuban leader Fidel Castro. As he himself would later state, “The CIA and the mafia are different sides of the same coin.” On June 19, 1975 (at the age of 67), he was found in the basement of his home in Oak Park, Illinois with seven bullets in the face and neck.
Meyer Lansky
Meyer Lansky is known as the "mob accountant" - he was one of the main bosses of the American organized crime. Together with his partner Charles "Lucky" Luciano, he played important role in the creation of the "National Crime Syndicate" in the United States. Born on July 4, 1902 into the Polish-Jewish Sukhomlyansky family in the city of Grodno, former Russian empire, now the Republic of Belarus. In 1911 he emigrated to the USA with his family. More from early years he was forced to compete with other national groups in New York's Lower East Side. As a member of one such Jewish youth group, Meyer met his future faithful comrades - Yakov (Yasha) Guzik and Louis Lepke. Mayer Lansky died of lung cancer on January 15, 1983, at the age of 80. own home in Miami Beach.
Carlo Gambino is a famous Italian-American gangster who became the boss of one of the "Five Families" - the New York mafia, named in his honor as the "Gambino family". Carlo was born on August 24, 1902 in Caccamo, Sicily, Italy. He was known for his secrecy and reserve. After a conference of mafia bosses held at the home of gangster Joseph "Joe Barbera" Barbara in Appalachia on November 14, 1957, he managed to seize control of the so-called Cosa Nostra Commission. Throughout his criminal career, Carlo Gambino spent 22 months in prison for tax evasion. He died on October 15, 1976 (aged 74) of a heart attack in his own bed.
John Gotti
John Joseph Gotti Jr. is a famous American gangster, from 1986 to 1992 the boss of the Gambino family, known under the nickname “Teflon Don.” Born October 27, 1940 in the Bronx, New York, USA. Gotti and his brothers grew up in poverty and were forced to resort to a life of crime as early as early age. In 1985, Gotti ordered the murder of Paul Castellano (the previous leader of the Gambino family) and took his place. He was one of the most powerful crime lords during his era. In 1992, thanks to the testimony of his deputy Salvatore Gravano, the leader of the family was sentenced to life imprisonment for numerous murders and racketeering. On June 10, 2002, at the age of 61, he died of throat cancer in a prison in Springfield, Missouri.
Louis "Lepke" Buchalter - a famous Jewish-American gangster, the only mafia leader in the United States to be sentenced to death penalty. Born February 6, 1897 in New York, USA. At the age of 22, Louis had already served two prison terms, both for burglary. After his final release in 1922, he and his childhood friend, mobster Jacob "Gurra" Shapiro, used intimidation and violence to gain control of the garment unions on the Lower East Side. And soon Louis “Lepke”, together with Albert “Mad Hatter” Anastasia, controlled Murder Inc., which carried out contract killings throughout the country. On March 4, 1944, Louis Buchalter was executed electric chair at Sing Sing Prison.
Lucky Luciano, known by his nickname Lucky, is a famous American gangster, as well as the boss of the “Genovese family” of one of the “Five Families”. Considered the father of modern organized crime in the United States. Born on November 24, 1897, in Lercara Friddi, a small village 25 km from Corleone in Sicily. In 1906 his family emigrated to New York. At an early age, he began making money by blackmailing his classmates. Then Luciano met his future business partner and friend Meyer Lansky. He was the main initiator of the creation of Murder Corporation. He was considered the number one pimp, as he owned approximately 200 brothels in New York. “Lucky” died in 1962 at the age of 64 from a heart attack. More than 2,000 mourners attended his funeral.
Frank Costello is a famous American gangster of Italian descent who controlled a vast gambling empire in the United States, as well as for a long time stood at the head of the "Luciano family" (later called the "Genovese family"). Known by the nickname “Prime Minister of the Underworld”, as he was one of the most powerful and respected mafiosi in the United States. Born January 26, 1891 in a mountain village in Calabria, Italy. And in 1895, together with his mother and brother Edward, he moved to New York. At the age of 13, he joins a local gang. In 1908 and 1912 he went to prison for theft and fighting. After his release, he decides to move away from street crime and switch to more serious matters. Frank Costello died on February 18, 1973 (aged 82) from a myocardial infarction.
George Clarence Moran is a famous American gangster, one of Al Capone's main competitors in the war for leadership of the criminal world. Born August 21, 1893 in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. Served three prison terms before he turned 21. He accidentally escaped the St. Valentine's Day massacre on February 14, 1929. Then, seven members of his gang were shot dead in a warehouse, allegedly on orders legendary gangster Al Capone. In July 1946 he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for robbery. Shortly after his release, Moran was rearrested for his role in a bank robbery and received five years. George Clarence Moran died of lung cancer on February 25, 1957, at Leavenworth Prison, at the age of 65, and is buried in the prison cemetery.
Albert Anastasia
Albert Anastasia was one of the most ruthless gangsters in the history of the United States. From 1951 to 1957 he headed the Gambino family. He was part of the criminal organization Murder Inc. Known by the nickname "Mad Hatter". He was shot and killed on October 25, 1957 (age 55) at a barbershop in midtown Manhattan.
Al Capone is the most famous American gangster active during Prohibition in Chicago. Capone has been the subject of numerous articles, books and films in which he is often referred to by the nickname "Scarface", although no one called him that during his lifetime. Born January 17, 1899 in Brooklyn, New York. Almost all adult life suffered from acquired syphilis. At age twenty, he became the bodyguard and confidant of Johnny Torrio, head of the James Street crime syndicate. Soon Johnny Torrio retired and appointed Alfonso as his successor. It is to Al Capone that I attribute such a concept as “racketeering”, and also during his criminal activities, gangster wars acquired incredible proportions. From 1924 to 1929 alone, more than 500 bandits were shot and killed in Chicago. In July 1931, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for non-payment of taxes in the amount of $388 thousand. On January 25, 1947, Capone died of cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke.
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I suggest you look at the faces of the most famous leaders of criminal gangs in the world, because it is precisely these people who are said to be better never to meet in person in your life. Although all these crime bosses look very different, they all head the largest criminal organizations in different corners of our planet.
One of the bosses of the Mara 18 organized crime group, Marlon Martinez, is on trial in Guatemala, where he is accused of murder. March 30, 2011
Mara 18 is the largest Latino gang in Los Angeles. It appeared in the 1960s among immigrants from Mexico and still maintains ties with the drug cartels of this country. The group consists of up to 90 thousand people operating in the USA, Mexico and Central America.
The 'Ndrangheta was formed in the poorest province of Italy, Calabria. It is considered one of the most successful Italian organized crime groups. According to some reports, the 'Ndrangheta's revenues amount to up to three percent of the country's GDP.
One of the leaders of the Marseille mafia, 75-year-old Jacques Imbert, after being released from prison on April 8, 2005.
Imber was part of the Three Ducks gang, which was especially influential in the 1950s and 60s. In 1977, an attempt was made on his life, which formed the basis of the film “22 Bullets: Immortal.”
The alleged leader of the Slavic criminal groups in Moscow, Alexey Petrov, nicknamed Lenya the Kricky. September 19, 2011
According to unofficial data, Petrov was elected leader of the Slavic groups in Moscow in 2009 after the murder of Vyacheslav Ivankov, also known as Yaponchik.
One of the alleged leaders of the Tambov organized crime group, Yuri Salikov, is being taken to court in the Spanish city of Palma de Mallorca. June 14, 2008
The Tambov organized crime group appeared in St. Petersburg in the late 1980s and in the next decade actually controlled the criminal life of the city. Its creator is considered to be businessman Vladimir Barsukov (Kumarin), who is serving a 15-year prison sentence for extortion.
One of the alleged leaders of the Tambov organized crime group, Gennady Petrov, is being taken to court in the Spanish city of Palma de Mallorca. June 14, 2008
Petrov, like several other Russian citizens, were detained by Spanish authorities during Operation Troika. They are considered the organizers of an operation to launder criminal money from the Tambov organized crime group. Petrov calls himself a businessman. He has lived in Spain since the early 1990s. In 2012, Petrov left for Russia and refused to return to Spain.
Bonanno family boss from New York, Vincent "Handsome Vinny" Basiano.
The Bonanno family is one of the five Italian families American mafia who control the underworld of New York. The remaining families are the Gambino, Genovese, Colombo and Lucchese clans. Basiano has been serving a life sentence for murder since 2011.
Gigante was boss of the Genovese clan from 1981 until his death in 2005. In the early 1990s, he was considered America's most powerful gangster. To avoid trial, Gigante feigned insanity and often walked around New York in a robe and slippers, muttering something inarticulate to himself. In 1997, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison and died in custody.
Retired yakuza boss Shinji Ishihara opens up about his criminal past to reporters. April 5, 2006
Ishihara served in one of the largest gangster syndicates in the world, the Yamaguchi-gumi, which has several tens of thousands of members. The group's headquarters are located in Kobe. Unlike many other organized crime groups, members of the yakuza are allowed to “retire,” as Ishihara did after serving his next term.
Funeral of the leader of the Taiwanese group "Bamboo Union" Chen Chili, nicknamed the Duck King, in Taipei. October 18, 2007
The Bamboo Union, or Zhuliangban in Chinese, is the largest organized crime group in Taiwan. It belongs to the triads, as Chinese criminal groups or secret societies are called. The Bamboo Union maintains close ties with the nationalists of the Kuomintang party and shares their political platform.
The leader of the Hong Kong branch of the 14K group in Macau, Wan Quokkoi, nicknamed Broken Tooth, is being taken to court on November 23, 1999
14K is considered the largest triad in Hong Kong and in the world. It has about 20 thousand members and also operates in Europe and North America. 14K controls the supply of heroin and opium from South-East Asia. The group is known for its clear management hierarchy and brutality.
The grave of Aslan Usoyan, better known as Ded Hasan, at the Khovanskoye cemetery in Moscow. January 20, 2013
Usoyan is believed to have headed ethnic Caucasian criminal groups operating in Russia. At the same time, it is known about conflicts between his clan and other gangs led by immigrants from Transcaucasia. Usoyan was shot dead in Moscow by an unknown sniper on January 16, 2013.
The leader of the Taiwanese triad was forced to flee his home island when the authorities decided to limit the influence of criminal groups. Chen Chili moved to Cambodia and even became an adviser to the government. He lived in a huge villa on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, where large caches of weapons were discovered.
Cosa Nostra is one of the most famous groups Italian mafia. She appeared in late XIX century and is considered the inventor of racketeering. Cosa Nostra does not have a rigid structure. The group consists of numerous clans that control their territory.
Abroad, Kalashov is often called a representative of the Russian mafia, although sometimes also a Georgian crime boss. He began his criminal activities back in the Soviet Union. He is considered a supporter of the late leader of the Caucasian clans, Aslan Usoyan. Since 2010, Kalashov has been serving a prison sentence in Spain, which has already agreed to extradite him to Georgia, where he was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
One of the leaders of the Italian 'Ndrangheta group, Pasquale Condello, after his arrest. February 19, 2008
Condello was on the run for about twenty years. All this time he lived in his hometown of Reggio Calabria. During his criminal career, he managed to earn at least $57 million. In any case, the real estate he owns is valued at that amount. Condello is accused of murdering the head of Italy's national railway company.
Sinaloa drug cartel member Juan Miguel Allier Beltran at a press conference at police headquarters in Tijuana. January 20, 2011
American intelligence agencies consider Sinaloa the most powerful drug cartel in the world. It comes from the state of the same name on the Pacific coast of Mexico. During the 1990s - 2000s, Sinaloa supplied more than 200 tons of cocaine to the United States. The cartel also produces significant quantities of opiates and marijuana.
Salvatore Micheli, who was in charge Sicilian mafia for international drug trafficking, at Caracas airport before extradition to Italy. June 30, 2009
Miceli was considered a kind of foreign minister in Cosa Nostra. He was responsible for the supply of cocaine, heroin and other drugs produced in other regions of the world, primarily in Latin America, to Europe.
One of the leaders of the Tijuana cartel, Gilberto Higuera Guerrero, in Mexico City before extradition to the United States. January 20, 2007
The Tijuana drug cartel from the Mexican state of Baja California ranks third in drug trafficking in the United States. He is a principal competitor of the Sinaloa cartel. In the mid-2000s, a significant number of Tijuana leaders were arrested and handed over to American authorities.
Joseph "Giuseppe" Bonanno is the founder of the eponymous crime family in New York. 1960s
Bonanno is considered one of the main prototypes of Vito Corleone, the main character of the crime saga “The Godfather”. Bonanno never spent long periods behind bars during his tumultuous career. He died in 2002 at age 97 in Tucson, Arizona, from heart failure.
The leader of the Corleone clan from the Sicilian city of the same name, Gaetano Riina, after his arrest in Palermo on July 1, 2011
The Corleone clan, which gave its name to the character of the famous film trilogy, has long been main family"Cosa Nostra" Its leaders bear the title of "boss of bosses." The town of Corleone with a population of 12 thousand people is located in the hills south of Palermo at an altitude of about 600 meters above sea level.
The leader of the branch of the organized crime group “Mara Salvatrucha” in the Salvadoran city of Quezaltepeque, nicknamed El Diabolico, and the leaders of the local branch of the organized crime group “Mara 18” announce a truce in the prison of the same city. January 31, 2013
Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13, is one of the most violent Latin American groups. It was formed in Los Angeles among Salvadoran emigrants who fled civil war, operates in California and Central America and, according to various sources, has from 50 to 80 thousand fighters. A distinctive feature of the members of the Mara Salvatrucha are numerous tattoos, often covering the entire body.
Police escort Indian crime lord Rajendra Nikalje, nicknamed "Little Rajan" (Chhota Rajan), to the Bangkok Criminal Court after an attempt on his life. September 28, 2000.
Rajendra Nikalje was originally a member of the group of crime boss Dawood Ibrahim, which is called D-Company in the media. The gang operated in Mumbai, but then spread its influence throughout South Asia. After a quarrel with his boss, Nikalje collaborated with Indian intelligence agencies to weaken Ibrahim in exchange for information about plans to assassinate him. The Ibrahim and Nikalje gangs, like other Indian criminals, launder money by investing it in the production of films in Bollywood.
Former leader of the Tijuana drug cartel Benjamin Arellano Felix.
Felix was arrested in March 2002 in Mexico and extradited to the United States. In April 2012, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison for extortion and money laundering. After serving his sentence, he is expected to be returned to Mexico, where he faces another 22 years in prison.
Abu Salem initially collaborated with the Mumbai group D-Company, but then began to act independently. He is accused of numerous murders and participation in terrorist attacks. In 2007, Abu Salem was extradited to India by Portugal. Subsequently, Lisbon reconsidered this decision, but Delhi refused to return Abu Salem to Europe. He has not yet been sentenced.
Colluccio belongs to an influential mafia clan. His brother Giuseppe was one of the leaders of the 'Ndrangheta in Toronto, Canada, and was involved in the supply of cocaine to Europe. Salvatore was wanted for four years. He was found in a bunker equipped with an electric generator and supplied with significant supplies of water and food for self-sufficient living.
The Gambino clan was once the most powerful of the five mafia families of New York. Its gradual decline was facilitated by both civil strife and close attention from the FBI. The last major operation against the family, which led to the arrest of several capos, took place in 2011, when a network of forced prostitution of women from Eastern Europe was uncovered.
Vyacheslav Ivankov, nicknamed Yaponchik, leaves the Moscow City Court building after the jury found him not involved in the murder of two Turkish citizens. July 19, 2005
Ivankov, until his death in 2009, was considered the leader of the Slavic criminal groups in Moscow. In 1997, he was convicted in the United States for extortion, and after serving his sentence in 2005, he returned to Russia. In July 2009, he was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt and died a few months later from complications caused by the wound.
One of the leaders of the Tijuana drug cartel, Eduardo Arellano Felix, is in custody in Mexico City. October 26, 2008
After the arrest of the three Arellano Felix brothers, that is, Eduardo, Javier and Benjamin, as well as the death of Ramon in a shootout with the police, the cartel was led by the youngest of the brothers, Luis, nicknamed the Engineer. Mexican authorities promise to pay $2.5 million for help in his capture.
A graduate of the journalism department of Moscow State University, Lerner served 11 years in the Soviet Union for financial fraud in student construction brigades. In 1998, he was convicted of stealing money from Russian banks. Since 2006, he has been in an Israeli prison for creating a financial pyramid and stealing money from investors.
Former Gambino family underboss Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano is sworn in trial about corruption in professional boxing. April 1, 1993
In 1991, Gravano became the highest-ranking member of the mafia to break his vow of omerta silence and cooperate with the authorities. Based on his testimony, Gambino clan boss John Gotti was sentenced to life in prison. In 1995, Gravano, who moved to Arizona, refused to participate in the witness protection program. He published an autobiography and then went into drug trafficking, for which he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He has been serving his sentence since 2002.
Former Bonanno family boss Joseph Massino.
Massino became the first boss of five New York families to make a plea deal. In 2004, he was sentenced to death based on the testimony of his comrades, including his deputy Salvatore Vitale. In 2011, Massino, in order to earn the right to life, in turn, acted as a witness in the case of his successor Vincent Basiano.
The boss of the largest yakuza syndicate "Yamaguchi-gumi" Kenichi Shinoda after serving a six-year sentence prison term for illegal possession of a pistol. April 9, 2011
Shinoda holds the title of kumicho, or supreme "godfather", of the largest group of the Japanese mafia. He is the sixth boss of the Yamaguchi-gumi since its founding in 1915. The Synod is characterized by an outwardly democratic leadership style. In particular, he prefers to move on public transport, and not in a limousine with a personal driver.
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The world has long been fighting the state against criminal clans, but the mafia is still alive. Currently, there are many criminal groups, each of which has its own boss and mastermind. Crime bosses often feel unpunished and create real criminal empires by intimidating civilians and representatives of government agencies. They live by their own laws, violation of which often leads to death. This article presents 10 famous mafiosi who really left a noticeable mark on the history of the mafia. 1. Al Capone
Al Capone was a legend in the underworld of the 30s and 40s. last century and is still considered the most famous mafioso in history. The authoritative Al Capone struck fear into everyone, including the government. This American gangster of Italian origin developed a gambling business, was involved in bootlegging, racketeering, and drugs. It was he who introduced the concept of racketeering.
When the family moved to the United States in search of better life, he was forced to work hard. He worked in a pharmacy and a bowling alley, and even in a candy store. However, Al Capone attracted night image life. At the age of 19, while working in a billiards club, he made a cheeky comment about the wife of criminal Frank Galluccio. After the resulting fight and stabbing, he was left with a scar on his left cheek. The daring Al Capone learned to skillfully handle knives and was invited to the Gang of Five Smoking Barrels. Known for his cruelty in dealing with competitors, he organized the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, when, on his orders, seven tough mafiosi from Bugs Moran's group were shot.
His cunning helped him get out and avoid punishment for the crimes he committed. The only thing he was put in prison for was tax evasion. After leaving prison, where he spent 5 years, his health was undermined. He contracted syphilis from one of the prostitutes and died at the age of 48.
2. Lucky Luciano
Charles Luciano, born in Sicily, moved with his family to America in search of a decent life. Over time, he became a symbol of crime and one of the toughest gangsters in history. Since childhood, street punks have become a comfortable environment for him. He actively distributed drugs and went to prison at the age of 18. During the prohibition of alcohol in the United States, he was a member of the Gang of Four and smuggled alcohol. He was a penniless immigrant, like his friends, and ended up making millions of dollars from crime. Lucky organized a group of bootleggers, the so-called “Big Seven,” and defended it from the authorities.He later became the leader of Cosa Nostra and controlled all areas of activity in the criminal environment. Maranzano's gangsters tried to find out where he was hiding drugs and to do this they tricked him into taking him to the highway, where they tortured, cut and beat him. Luciano kept the secret. The bloody body without signs of life was thrown onto the side of the road and 8 hours later it was found by a police patrol. The hospital gave him 60 stitches and saved his life. After that they began to call him Lucky. (Lucky). 3. Pablo Escobar
Pablo Escobar is the most famous brutal Colombian drug lord. He created a real drug empire and arranged the supply of cocaine around the world on a huge scale. Young Escobar grew up in poor areas of Medellin and began his illegal activities by stealing tombstones and reselling them with erased inscriptions to resellers. In addition, he sought to earn easy money by selling drugs and cigarettes, as well as counterfeiting lottery tickets. Later, theft of expensive cars, racketeering, robberies and kidnappings were added to the scope of criminal activity.
At the age of 22, Escobar had already become a famous authority in poor neighborhoods. The poor supported him as he built them cheap housing. After becoming the head of a drug cartel, he earned billions. In 1989, his fortune was more than 15 billion. During his criminal activities, he was involved in the murders of more than a thousand police officers, journalists, several hundred judges and prosecutors, and various officials. 4. John Gotti
John Gotti was a household name in New York. He was called the “Teflon Don,” because all the accusations miraculously flew away from him, leaving him unsullied. He was a very resourceful mafioso who worked his way from the bottom to the very top of the Gambino family. His flamboyant and elegant style also earned him the nickname "The Elegant Don". While managing the family, he was involved in typical criminal matters: racketeering, theft, car theft, murder. Right hand The boss in all crimes was always his friend Salvatore Gravano. As a result, it became fatal mistake for John Gotti. In 1992, Salvatore began cooperating with the FBI, testified against Gotti, and sent him to prison for life. In 2002, John Gotti died in prison from throat cancer.
5. Carlo Gambino
Gambino is a Sicilian gangster who led one of the most powerful crime families in America and led it until his death. As a teenager, he began stealing and extorting. Later he switched to bootlegging. When he became the boss of the Gambino family, he made it the richest and most powerful by controlling such lucrative facilities as the state port and airport. During its heyday, the Gambino criminal group consisted of more than 40 teams and controlled major American cities (New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and others). Gambino did not welcome drug trafficking by members of his group, as he considered it a dangerous business that attracted a lot of attention.6. Meir Lansky
Meir Lansky is a Jew born in Belarus. At the age of 9 he moved with his family to New York. Since childhood, he became friends with Charles “Lucky” Luciano, which predetermined his fate. For decades, Meir Lansky was one of America's most important crime bosses. During Prohibition in America, he was involved in the illegal transportation and sale of alcoholic drinks. Later, the National Crime Syndicate was created and a network of underground bars and bookmakers was opened. For many years, Meir Lansky developed a gambling empire in the United States. In the end, tired of constant police surveillance, he leaves for Israel on a visa for 2 years. The FBI demanded his extradition. After his visa expires, he wants to move to another state, but no one accepts him. He returns to the United States, where he awaits trial. The charges were dropped, but the passport was revoked. Last years lived in Miami and died in a hospital from cancer. 7. Joseph Bonanno
This mafioso occupied a special place in the American criminal world. At the age of 15, the Sicilian boy was left an orphan. He moved to the United States illegally, where he quickly joined criminal circles. He created the influential Bonanno crime family and ruled it for 30 years. Over time, they began to call him “Banana Joe.” Having achieved the status of the richest mafioso in history, he voluntarily retired. He wanted to live the rest of his life quietly in his personal luxurious mansion. For a while he was forgotten by everyone. But the release of the autobiography was an unprecedented act for the mafia and once again attracted attention to him. He was even sent to prison for a year. Joseph Bonanno died at the age of 97, surrounded by relatives. 8. Alberto Anastasia
Albert Anastasia was called the head of the Gambino, one of the 5 mafia clans. He was nicknamed the Chief Executioner because his group, Murder, Inc., was responsible for over 600 deaths. He never went to prison for any of them. When a case was opened against him, it was unclear where the main prosecution witnesses disappeared to. Alberto Anastasia liked to get rid of witnesses. He called Lucky Luciano his teacher and was devoted to him. Anastasia carried out assassinations of the leaders of other criminal groups on Lucky's order. However, in 1957, Albert Anastasia himself was killed in a hairdressing salon on the order of his competitors. 9. Vincent Gigante
Vincent Gigante - a well-known mafioso authority who controlled crime in New York and other major cities America. He dropped out of school in 9th grade and switched to boxing. He became involved in a criminal gang at the age of 17. Since then, his rise in the criminal world began. At first he became godfather, and then consolere (adviser). Since 1981, he became the leader of the Genovese family. Vincent was nicknamed "The Crazy Boss" and "The Pajama King" for his inappropriate behavior and walking around New York in a bathrobe. It was a simulation of a mental disorder. For 40 years he avoided prison by posing as a madman. In 1997, he was nevertheless sentenced to 12 years. Even while in prison, he continued to give instructions to gang members through his son Vincent Esposito. In 2005, the mafioso died in prison from heart problems.
10. Heriberto Lazcano
For a long time, Heriberto Lazcano was on the list of wanted and most dangerous criminals Mexico. From the age of 17 he served in the Mexican army and special squad to combat drug cartels. A couple of years later he went over to the side of drug gangsters when he was recruited by the Gulf cartel. After a while, he became the leader of one of the largest and most respected drug cartels - Los Zetas. Due to his boundless cruelty against competitors, bloody murders against officials, public figures, police and civilians (including women and children), he received the nickname Executioner. More than 47 thousand people died as a result of the massacres. When Heriberto Lazcano was killed in 2012, all of Mexico breathed a sigh of relief.
Valid in Sicily from early XIX century, turning at the beginning of the 20th century into international organization. Initially, the organization was engaged in the protection of owners of orange plantations and nobles who owned large land plots, mostly from themselves. These were the beginnings of racketeering. Later, Cosa Nostra expanded its area of activity, becoming a criminal group in all respects. Since the 20th century, banditry has become the main activity of Cosa Nostra.
2. Russian mafia
This is officially the most feared organized crime group. Former FBI special agents call the Russian mafia "the most dangerous people on the ground". In the West, the term “Russian mafia” can mean any criminal organization, both Russian itself and from other states of the post-Soviet space, or from the immigration environment in non-CIS countries. Some people get hierarchical tattoos, often use military tactics and carry out contract killings.
3. Mexican Mafia (La eMe)
This gang is an ally of the Aryan Brotherhood with south coast USA. Known for her active involvement in the drug trade. Gang members are easily identified by a special tattoo in the form of a black hand located on the chest.
The Mexican Mafia was created in the late 50s by members of a Mexican street gang incarcerated in Deuel Prison, located in Trici, California. The gang was founded by thirteen Mexican-Americans from East Los Angeles, several of whom were members of the Marawila gang. They called themselves Mexicanemi, which translates from the Nahuatl language as “the one who walks with God in the heart.”
4. Yakuza
The Yakuza are organized crime syndicates in Japan, similar to the triad in other Asian countries or the Western mafia. However, the social organization and work patterns of the Yakuza are very different from other criminal groups: they even have their own office buildings, and their actions are often and completely openly reported in the press.
One of the iconic images of the Yakuza is their intricate, colorful tattoos all over their bodies. The Yakuza use a traditional method of manually injecting ink under the skin, known as irezumi, as a form of proof of bravery as the method is quite painful.
5. Chinese Triad
The triad is a form of secret criminal organizations in China and the Chinese diaspora. Triads have always had common beliefs (belief in mystical meaning numbers 3, which is where their name comes from). Currently, triads are known primarily as mafia-style criminal organizations common in Taiwan, the United States and other Chinese immigration centers, specializing in drug trafficking and other criminal activities.
"Triad" is one of the most patriotic mafias. During international events, militants guarantee the safety of foreigners, and during the SARS outbreak they even announced a $1 million bonus to a doctor who finds a cure for this disease.
6. Hell's Angels (USA)
One of the world's largest motorcycle clubs, with its chapters (branches) all over the world. It is included, along with Outlaws MC, Pagans MC and Bandidos MC, in the so-called “Big Four” outlaw clubs and is the most famous among them.
Law enforcement agencies in a number of countries call the club a “motorcycle gang” and accuse them of drug trafficking, racketeering, trafficking in stolen goods, violence, murder, etc.
According to the legend posted on the official website of the motorcycle club, during the Second World War, the 303rd Squadron existed in the American Air Force heavy bombers with the name "Hell's Angels". After the end of the war and the disbandment of the unit, the pilots were left without work. They believe that their homeland betrayed them and left them to their fate. They had no choice but to go against their “cruel country, get on motorcycles, join motorcycle clubs and rebel.”
7. Mara Salvatrucha
This mafia is involved in many types of criminal businesses, including trafficking in drugs, weapons and people; robberies, racketeering, contract killings, kidnappings for ransom, pimping, car thefts, money laundering and fraud.
Many street vendors and small shops located in the Mara Salvatrucha territories pay the gang up to half of their income for the opportunity to work. Many Salvadorans living in the United States are also forced to pay to MS-13; if they refuse, the bandits will mutilate or kill their relatives in their homeland.
8. Montreal Mafia Rizzuto
The Rizzuto are a crime family that is primarily based in Montreal but operates in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. They once merged with families in New York, which ultimately led to the mafia wars in Montreal in the late 70s. Rizzuto owns hundreds of millions of dollars worth of real estate in different countries. They own hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, construction, food, service and trading companies. In Italy they own companies producing furniture and Italian delicacies.
9. Mungiki (Kenya)
This is a Kenyan banned (since 2002) political-religious group that revives traditional African religion. Originated in the wake of the Mau Mau uprising. Gained fame due to massacres and clashes with the police.
Mungiki considers itself a religious group that advocates for the preservation of traditional "African way of worship, culture and way of life." Its adherents pray, turning their faces towards Mount Kenya. They also practice vows and sacrifices.
Is the mafia a gang, a group, or just a bunch of bandits? Let's try to figure out what exactly this word means.
The concept of “mafia” today refers to any ethnic criminal group, in structure and organization, reminiscent of the ancestor of such communities - the Sicilian criminal “family”, highly organized and having its own code of rules.
Where did this concept come from?
But the origin of the term is hotly debated. There are very original versions, for example the following: “Mafia” is an abbreviation for the words Morte Alla Francia, Italia Anela (“Death to all French; Italy, breathe freely!”) - a cry that was born during the uprising against the French in Sicily at the end 13th century.
According to Gabor Gellert, a journalist from Hungary who closely studied the topic (13 years of work on a book about the mafia), this word should be understood in a more global sense than an alliance of criminals. This is a socio-political-economic phenomenon, the emergence of which is natural in the world of capital. The meaning of the word “mafia” in the dictionaries in which it first appears (1868) is an action meaning insolence, boasting. Mafioso in the same dictionaries is a person who uses brutal violence, or poverty, scum.
There are also Arabic versions of the origin of the word "mafia". There are many consonant words with meanings: protection, refuge, security, chatterbox, gathering place. Alas, researchers have not yet gotten to the truth.
What does the mafia do?
Organized illegal activities are very diverse. Mafia crimes:
- Maintenance of dens.
- Arms trade.
- Drug trafficking.
- Making counterfeit money.
- Gambling, casino maintenance, gambling business.
- Pimping, content of porn sites.
- Buying stolen goods.
- Usury.
- Extortion, racketeering.
- Debt collection.
- Human trafficking, kidnapping.
- Contract killings.
- Smuggling, money laundering.
The sphere of interests of the largest and most influential groups is not limited to criminal activities. Their representatives are engaged in ordinary business (hotels, restaurants, etc.), lobbying, and politics.
Code of Practice
Any mafia, except perhaps the most low-grade ones, is a code of moral rules. For example, the code of honor of the Cosa Nostra organization included rules such as:
- Always be on time for your appointments.
- Do not look at the wives of friends (and a member who has family ties with a traitor or traitor was punished by expulsion from the gang).
- Don't go to bars and clubs.
Below we will look at examples of the most famous criminal communities. Let us immediately clarify that most of information about such groups are hypotheses based on fragmentary and random information. It is clear that the leaders of such groups do not strive for widespread popularity.
Cosa Nostra
Many people who are familiar with the topic firsthand have a strong association: the mafia is Cosa Nostra. Let's try to figure out what these two words represent. The phrase “Cosa Nostra” in Sicilian means “our business”. This term became widespread and became associated with any Italian mafia or the mafia in general after the publication of the novel “The Godfather”.
Initially, Cosa Nostra was active in Sicily from the beginning of the 19th century. In one century, that is, by the beginning of the twentieth, it turned into an international organization. A little later it strengthened its position in America. It consists of 11 clans (families). It should be clearly distinguished: Cosa Nostra is a mafia of Sicilian origin, regardless of its modern geographical location.
Italian and Italian-American mafia
It makes sense to connect them, because the American mafia is mainly from Italy, or more precisely from Naples, Calabria, and Sicily. Today, the Italian mafia operates in at least 26 US cities.
Five families
An influential group within the American mafia. Its core consists of representatives of five families:
- Bonanno;
- Colombo;
- Gambino;
- Genovese;
- Lucchese.
Of these, the most numerous (although according to some sources it is inferior and influential is the Genovese family. Using its example, you can see what the Italian mafia is. The history of the family as a representative of the mafia began at the beginning of the 20th century.
Initially, it was an alliance of several small Sicilian street gangs that traded in extortion and bootlegging. Gradually, the family expanded its activities, subordinating large parts of the gambling, racketeering and usury markets. A fascinating multi-part film could be made about the changes in family leadership over the course of a millennium.
Groups
As mentioned above, the mafia is a highly organized union. Let's look at examples of groups that, in terms of the scope of their activities, are comparable to
- Camorra and 'Ndrangheta- these are the two largest groups of purely Italian mafia, without any admixture of “Americanism,” although both groups have an extensive network throughout the world. The core of the Camorra is located in Naples and its environs, the “head office” of the 'Ndrangheta is in Calabria. Both are extremely rich, influential, are among the ten richest mafia communities in the world, and consist of clans with powerful family and marriage ties.
- Bamboo Union. Area of influence - Asia, Europe, America. This is the largest group in Asia, the main backbone is Taiwan. In addition to the fact that it is one of the richest criminal organizations in the world (the basis of its income is gambling, murder and debt collection), it stands out for its close ties to one of the main and influential parties in China (the Kuomintang), although these ties are actively denied.
- Tai Huen Chai, or the Triad. There is the least information about this group on the Russian Internet. The largest and most influential in China. The modern Triad is a huge underground criminal network about which little is known. Presumably the founder of this organization appeared before 200 BC under the name “Shadow of the Lotus” and traded in the slave trade and piracy.
- Tijuana cartel- one of the two oldest and most influential in Mexico. Considering that Mexico is a well-known transit point for the US drug market, it can be said that the Tijuana Cartel is one of the largest drug cartels in the world.
- Yamaguchi-gumi (yamaguchi-gumi)- Japanese mafia. This is not just one of the richest groups in the world. She is a leader in terms of income and number of active members(from 55 to 220 thousand).
- Sinaloa- a cartel operating in Mexico and Central America. The network covers some US cities. “Specialization” is drug sales. The organization is considered a leader in this segment of criminal activity. It has become famous for the particularly brutal nature of internal disputes; shocking footage of severed heads and enemies being dissolved in acid sometimes ends up on the Internet.
in Russia
It is believed that it appeared in the 60s of the last century, although in principle there cannot be a specific starting point. It is noteworthy that the words “Russian mafia” in the West can mean criminal groups not only from Russia, but from any country in the post-Soviet space.
The mafia of union significance began its activities with small criminal groups of Jews who left the USSR in the 70-90s of the 20th century. Today, it makes sense to distinguish between the Russian mafia (its representatives have Russian citizenship and operate on Russian territory) and the mafia with Soviet roots.
The most famous group is the Solntsevskaya Bratva. It is considered one of the most dangerous and cruel in the world. The leader, according to rumors, is Sergei Mikhailov, nicknamed Mikhas.
Famous mafiosi
A well-organized structure, be it a mafia, a group or an alliance, is impossible without the accumulating power of the leader. Of course, most current leaders are shadow leaders. Below we will look at the names that are well-known and have become legends.
- Al Capone is a well-known name, but it is worth noting that it has long and firmly entered history, because this man died back in 1947 at the age of 48. The boss of the Chicago mafia, famous for his ability to build a real criminal empire.
- Pablo Escobar- the most famous Colombian drug lord, one of the most prominent, if such a word can be applied to a criminal, figures criminal world 20th century. He not only made money through crimes, but also administered his own justice, which earned him the favor of the poor and young people.
- Kray Brothers- Twins from London, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, have been distinguished by their lack of control since childhood. With their fists, aggression and high business skills, they managed to build an entire empire, and managed to successfully combine both shadow business, and legal.
- Mayer Lansky(Belarus) - one of the few figures in the criminal world who lived to the respectable age of 80 (died in 1983). Jew, originally from Tsarist Russia, for many years was one of the most authoritative people in the United States. Managed the largest shadow gambling syndicate. He became the prototype for the elderly Jewish mafioso Hyman Roth.
- Frank Costello- another outstanding one from the USA, but originally from Italy. For a very long time he was the head of the Genovese family and extremely successful in business. He gravitated towards bloodless types of criminal business, such as the illegal trade in alcohol and gambling. As a matter of principle, he was not involved in drug trafficking, believing that there were plenty of opportunities to make money without it. He also distinguished himself by actively establishing connections between the mafia and politics and succeeding in this more than any of the crime bosses.
Of course, these are not all known criminal communities. Suffice it to say that many of them have entered not only criminal history, but also the history of cinema, so remarkable is the activity of famous mafiosi from the point of view of analyzing human nature and the reasons for success, albeit in activities disapproved by the majority.
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