Number 10 - Vincent "The Chin" Gigante (1928 - 2005)
Vincent Gigante was born in New York in 1928. He was a man with complex character: Dropped out of school in ninth grade, after which he began boxing. Won 21 of 25 light heavyweight fights. From the age of 17 he was a member of a criminal gang, and at the age of 25 he was first arrested.
Gigante's first significant case as a member of the Genovese family was an attempted murder of Frank Costello, but he missed. Despite this, his rise in the Genovese family continued until he became first a godfather and, in the early 1980s, a consolire (Italian for advisor).
After mafia boss Tony Salerno was convicted, Gigante became the boss. What made Gigante so famous? After escaping jail time by pretending to be insane in the late 1960s, he continued to act crazy, such as walking the streets of New York City in a bathrobe. It was because of this fact that he received two more nicknames: "Weirdo" and "King of Pajamas." It was only after being convicted of racketeering in 2003 that he admitted that his mental health was fine.
Gigante died in prison on December 19, 2005 due to heart problems. Because of this and thanks to his lawyers, he was supposed to be released in 2010.
A film about him: Gigante's prototype was used for the television film Bonanno: A Godfather's Story (1999), episode Law & Order.
Number 9 - Albert Anastasia (1903 - 1957)
Albert Anastasia was born in Italy in 1903 and moved to America as a child. He was sentenced to 18 months for the murder of a longshoreman on the Brooklyn docks (Sing Sing Prison). Was released early due to mysterious death witness. Albert Anastasia (aka "Lord Executioner" and "Mad Hatter") gained fame thanks to numerous murders, after which Joe Masseria's gang hired him. Anastasia was very loyal to Charlie "Lucky" Luciano, so he had no problem betraying Masseria - he was one of the four men sent to kill him in 1931.
In 1944, he became the leader of a group of murderers, which even had its own name Murder, Inc. Although Albert Anastasia was never prosecuted for the murders, his group was linked to 400 to 700 murders. In the 50s, he became the leader of the Luciano family, but soon, in 1957, he was killed at the behest of Carlo Gambino.
Films about him: The hero of Albert Anastasia was the main actor movie Murder, Inc. (1960), starring Peter Falk and Howard Smith (Anastasia), as well as in the films The Valachi Papers (1972) and Lepke (1975).
Number 8 - Joseph Bonanno (1905 - 2002)
Joe Bananno was born in 1905 and grew up in Sicily and was orphaned at the age of 15. During the fascist regime of Mussolini, when he turned 19, he left Italy and arrived in the United States through Cuba. He soon received the nickname "Joey Bananas" and ended up in the Maranzano family. Before Luciano killed him, Maranzano formed a "Commission" that ruled the Mafia families in his homeland of Italy.
Bonanno amassed capital by running cheese factories, a clothing business, and a funeral business. However, his plans to eliminate the leaders of other families were not destined to come true, since he was kidnapped and forced to retire 19 days later. He was never convicted of any serious offense.
Films about him: There were two films about him: Love, Honor & Obey: The Last Mafia Marriage ("Love, honor and obedience: The Last Alliance Mafia, 1993) with Ben Gazarra leading role and Bonanno: A Godfather's Story ("Bonanno: The Godfather", 1999) with Martin Landau.
Number 7 - Dutchman Schultz (1902 - 1935)
Arthur Flegenheimer, later known as Dutch Schultz, was born in 1092 in the Bronx. To impress his boss and mentor Marcel Poffo, he organized crap games in his youth. At the age of 17, he spent some time in prison for theft. He soon realized that the only way Making money is bootlegging (selling alcohol during Prohibition).
Wanting to become a member of the emerging syndicate, he made enemies in Luciano and Capone. After he was about to be convicted of another crime in 1933, he left for New Jersey. In 1935, after returning, he was killed by members of Albert Anastasia's group.
Films about him: Dustin Hoffman played a prominent role as Dutch Schultz in Billy Bathgate (1991), but was even better played by Tim Roth in Hoodlum (1997). In addition, we should recall the films Gangster Wars (1981), The Cotton Club (1984) and The Natural (1984).
Number 6 - John Gotti (1940 - 2002)
Among famous gangsters Of New York, John Gotti is especially noteworthy. He was born in 1940 in Brooklyn and was always considered a smart guy. At the age of 16, he joined a street gang called the Fulton Rockaway Boys. He quickly became their leader, in the 60s the gang was engaged in car thefts and petty theft, in the early 70s he became the godfather of the Bergin group - part of the Gambino family. Gotti was very ambitious and soon began to engage in drugs, which were prohibited by family rules.
As a result, Paul Castellano (mafia boss) decided to expel Gotti from the organization. In 1985, Gotti and his henchmen killed Castellano, and Gotti took over the Gambino family. Law enforcement agencies in New York tried to convict him many times, but the charges always failed. Due to the fact that he always looked presentable and was loved by the media, he received the nicknames "Elegant Don" and "Teflon Don". He was finally convicted of murder in 1992 and died of cancer in 2002.
Films about him: his character was played by Antonio John Denilson in the television film Getting Gotti ("Getting Gotti", 1994) and Armand Assante in the film Gotti ("Gotti", 1996). Of note are the films Witness to the Mob (1998) with Tom Sizemoor and The Big Heist (2001).
Number 5 - Meyer Lansky (1902 - 1983)
Mayer Sachovlyansky was born in 1902 in Russia. At the age of 9 he moved to New York. When they were boys, he met Charles Luciano. Luciano wanted Lansky to give him protection money, but he refused. There was a fight, after which they became bosom friends. After some time, Lansky met Bugsy Seagal. The trio became very friendly. Lansky and Seagal formed the group Bug and Meyer, which later became Murder, Inc.
Initially, Lansky was involved in money and gambling in Florida, New Orleans and Cuba. He was Seagal's investor in the Las Vegas casinos, and even bought an offshore bank in Switzerland in order to launder money. He was a co-founder of the National Crime Syndicate and the Council. However, business is never personal, and he was soon forced to kill Bugsy Seagal because... he stopped giving money to the Syndicate. Although he was involved in gambling rackets around the world, Lansky never spent a day in prison.
Films about him: not only Richard Dreyfuss played well in the HBO Lansky film of the same name (1999), but also Nyman Roth in The Godfather Part II (The Godfather Part II, 1974), Mark Rydell in the film Havana (Havana, 1990), Patrick Dempsey in Mobsters (1991) and Ben Kingsley in Bugsy (1991).
Number 4 - Frank Costello (1891 - 1973)
Francesco Castiglia was born in 1891 in Italy and moved to the United States at the age of 4. At the age of 13, he joined a criminal gang and changed his name to Frank Costello. After serving time in prison, he became best friend Charlie Luciano. They engaged in bootlegging and gambling together. Costello's strength was that he was the link between the mafia and the politicians, especially the Democratic Party Tammany Hall in New York, which allowed him to avoid persecution.
After the arrest of Luciano Costello became a man in law. His feud with Vito Genovese led to Genovese attempting to kill Costello in the mid-50s. Frank Costello retired peacefully and died quietly in 1973.
Films about him: the best role was played by James Andronica in television project 1981's The Gangster Chronicles, as well as Costas Mandylor's Mobsters (1991), Carmine Caridi in Bugsy (1991), and Jack Nicholson in The Departed (2006).
Number 3 - Carlo Gambino (1902 - 1976)
Carlo Gambino grew up in a family that was part of the Italian mafia clan for several centuries. He began killing on demand at the age of 19. As Mussolini was gaining power at this time, Gambino immigrated to America, where his cousin Paul Costellano lived.
After Luciano was extradited in the 40s, Albert Anastasia took his place. However, Gambino believed that this was his time and in 1957 he ordered the death of Anastasia. He appointed himself Boss of the family and kept it in iron fist until his natural death in 1976.
Films about him: Al Ruccio played him excellently in the film Boss of Bosses ("Boss of Bosses", 2001). The image of Gambino could also be seen in such films as Between Love & Honor (1995), Gotti (1996) and Bonanno: A Godfather's Story (Bonanno: The Godfather, 1999).
Number 2 - Charlie "Lucky" Luciano (1897 - 1962)
Salvatore Luciania was born in Sicily in 1897, and nine years later his family moved to New York. After a while, he joined the Five Points gang. For five years, his gang made money mainly from prostitution; Luciano controlled rackets throughout Manhattan. After an unsuccessful attempt on his life in 1929, Luciano decided to create the National Crime Syndicate.
There was no rivalry, and by 1935, "Lucky" Luciano became known as the "Boss of Bosses" - not only in New York, but throughout the country. In 1936 he was sentenced to 30 to 50 years, but was released in 1946 for good behavior on the condition that he leave the country for Italy. He had this strong influence that during World War II the US Navy turned to him for help in landing in Italy. He died in 1962 as a result of a heart attack.
Films about him: Christian Slater played him in Gangsters (1991), Bill Graham in Bugsy (1991) and Anthony LaPaglia in the TV movie Lansky (1999).
Number 1 - Al Capone (1899 - 1947)
If there was ever a gangster who deserved to know Number One, it was Al Capone. Alphonse Capone was born in 1899 in Brooklyn to a family of Italian immigrants. After a while, he joined the Five Points gang and became a bouncer. It was during this time that he earned the nickname "Scarface". In 1919, he moved to Chicago and working for Johnny Torrio, he quickly began to rise in the criminal hierarchy.
It was the time of Prohibition, and Capone was involved in prostitution, gambling and bootlegging. In 1925, when he was 26 years old, Capone became head of the Torrio family and started a family war. Known for his intelligence, as well as his bombast and love of attention, Capone was also famous for his cruelty. It is worth remembering the massacre during the concert, dedicated to the Day St. Valentine's Day in 1929, in which many gang leaders were killed. In 1931, federal tax agent Eliot Nass arrested him for tax evasion.
Films about him: Many films have been made about Capone, the most famous of which are The St. Valentine's Day Massacre (1967) starring Jason Robards, Capone (1975) with Ben Gazarra and The Untouchables (1987) with Robert De Niro.
Worthy of Mention - Benjamin "Bugsy" Segal (1906 - 1947)
Benjamin Segal was born in 1906 in Brooklyn and soon met Meyer Lansky. He received the nickname "Bugsy" due to his unpredictable character. However, by killing people for Charlie Luciano, he made many enemies, and in the late 30s he was forced to flee to Los Angeles, where he met many stars.
Shortly after the passage of gambling laws in Nevada, he "borrowed" millions of dollars from the Syndicate and founded one of the first casino hotels in Las Vegas, the Flamingo. However, the business was not profitable, and soon after it was discovered in 1947 that he was simply stealing money from his friends, he was killed.
Films about him: the best actors who played Capone were Warren Beatty (Bugsy (1991) and Armand Assante The Marrying Man (1991).
Of course, these people were not saints, but we cannot help but admire the influence they had in their time. Now you know who was who in the criminal world. Stay out of trouble, smart guys ;).
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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 United States, 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 Vinnie" Basiano.
The Bonanno family is one of the five Italian-American Mafia families that control the New York City underworld. 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. 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 of the 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 hometown 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, for a long time is the main family of 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 the civil war, operates in California and Central America and, according to various sources, has from 50 to 80 thousand fighters. Distinctive feature Members of the Mara Salvatrucha have numerous tattoos, often covering the entire body.
Police escort to Bangkok Indian Criminal Court crime boss Rajendra Nikalje, nicknamed "Little Rajan" (Chhota Rajan), 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 penalty 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 prison sentence 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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There are many criminal groups in the world, which, due to their high organization and large numbers, have come to be called the mafia. With the most powerful and brutal mafias this post will introduce you to the world.
Sicilian mafia
Valid in Sicily from early XIX century, turning into an international organization at the beginning of the 20th century. 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.
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 get hierarchical tattoos, often use military tactics and carry out contract killings.
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.”
Yakuza are organized crime syndicates in Japan, similar to triads in others 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.
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 the mystical meaning of the number 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.
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 in a number of countries the club is called a “motorcycle gang” and is accused 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 there was a 303rd squadron 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.”
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 MS-13; if they refuse, the bandits will mutilate or kill their relatives in their homeland.
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.
Mungiki (Kenya)
This is a Kenyan political-religious group, banned since 2002, reviving 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.
The most legendary and influential mafiosi in history
Currently, there are many different organized crime groups in the world. Each such organization has its own ideological inspirer and leader (boss). It should be noted that some of these bosses criminal world created and are still creating entire criminal empires, keeping both ordinary citizens and representatives of the authorities in fear state power. They live by their own laws, and violation of these laws is punishable by death.
The reference and information portal Samogo.Net invites you to learn about the most legendary and influential mafiosi in history.
Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Pablo Escobar
Al Capone (Alphonso Gabriel "Great Al" Capone, 1899 – 1947)
This is the most famous and legendary mafioso of the 20th century. His main activities were bootlegging, gambling and prostitution. He was the organizer of the “Valentine’s Day Massacre”, during which 7 people were shot and killed. influential gangsters from a rival gang. He was one of the first gangsters to engage in “racketeering,” as well as money laundering through a network of laundries. This mobster is also known by his nickname "Scarface", which he received for the scar on his left cheek. Al Capone terrified and feared peaceful citizens and the government for quite a long time until he was sent to prison for tax evasion.
Lucky Luciano (Charles "Lucky" Luciano, 1897 – 1962)
Luciano was born in Sicily and moved to America, he became one of the first founders of the underworld (mafia). He received the nickname Lucky, which translates as “Lucky”, after surviving torture by gangsters. Subsequently, Luciano became the boss of the ruthless Cosa Nostra, which exercised total control in all areas of the criminal world.
Pablo Escobar (Pablo Emilio Escobar Gaviria, 1949 – 1993)
This is the most elusive and ruthless Colombian head of the Medellin cocaine cartel. He set up drug supplies all over the world. Drug trafficking was carried out on a global scale using aircraft and submarines. During his career, he was accused of involvement in the murders of more than 1,200 government officials (judges, prosecutors, police officers, presidential candidates, ministers). In 1989, it was estimated that Escobar's fortune was worth more than $15 billion.
John Gotti, Carlo Gambino
John Gotti (John Joseph Gotti, 1940 – 2002)
In 1985, John Gotti took over the Gambino family. Throughout his reign, this family remained one of the most influential. Multiple attempts by police to charge Gotti with illegal actions constantly failed, so he managed to avoid deserved punishment for a long time.
Carlo Gambino (Carlo "Don Carlo" Gambino, 1902 - 1976)
Gambino managed to capture a number of very profitable areas of activity. After this, the Gambino family became the most powerful criminal community. At its peak, the Gambino clan controlled a number of major American cities, including Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.
Meir Lansky, Joseph Bonanno
Meir Lansky (Meyer Lansky, 1902 – 1983)
Meir was born in Russian Empire, in Belarus. Having moved to the USA, he created the National Crime Syndicate, and also became the founder of the gambling business in the States. Lansky is known as the largest bootlegger of the Prohibition era.
Joseph Bonanno (Joseph Bonanno, 1905 – 2002)
Bonanno organized criminal community, which still continues to operate in the United States. Joseph successfully led the family's criminal activities for 30 years. Subsequently, he voluntarily retired from family affairs and lived in his huge villa. Joseph Bonanno is recognized as the richest mafioso in history.
Alberto Anastasia, Vincent Gigante
Alberto Anastasia (Albert Anastasia, 1902 – 1957)
Albert Anastasia headed the Gambino family and had the nickname “Chief Executioner” because he was involved in 700 murders. Alberto's close friend and mentor was Lucky Luciano. Anastasia specialized in contract killings of bosses of other families.
Vincent Gigante (Vincent Gigante, 1928 – 2005)
Since 1981, Vincent led the Genovese family. He received the nickname "Crazy Boss" for his inappropriate behavior. This behavior, as well as certificates of insanity, allowed Gigante to avoid a real prison sentence for 7 years. At the same time, Vincent controlled the criminal activities of all largest cities USA.
There's no doubt that gangsters are still captivating general public. We love to absorb crime stories from films, books and TV series. The reason for this is unclear, but the desire to learn everything about criminal activity is strong in most people. Of the many criminals and bandits who have become famous in history, some stand out more than others. They may be set apart by the nature of their actions, or simply by their loud and brash personality.
10 PHOTOS
1. Jacques Merin.
This guy was born in France and worked mainly in this country, but also in America and Canada. He earned the nickname "The Man of a Hundred Faces" due to his skillful camouflage. Thanks to this skill, he avoided the police many times. He operated in various criminal sectors from kidnapping to bank robberies and simple thefts. His fame mainly stems from his long list of crimes and his habit of escaping prison even when caught. Merin was so outraged that he was arrested that he took the judge hostage.
2. James Whitey Bulger. Bulger was actually a modern-day Robin Hood, who led a protective group in South Boston, USA. The Bulger gang has targeted drug lords and illegal gamblers in an attempt to clean up the city a little. Bulger hunted only criminals and did not touch ordinary people. However, this should not detract from his cruel and ruthless nature. Although he first tried to deal with any situation verbally, he later did not hesitate to use extreme violence. The 19 murders for which he was eventually convicted prove this.
3. John Dillinger. As the leader of the famous "Dillinger Gang", John Dillinger remains one of the most notorious crime figures in the world. American history. He was originally raised in Chicago and was seemingly corrupted by the city. Dillinger was a brash and colorful character who, during his peak years, openly played to the crowd. His gang was responsible for about 25 violent robberies in various US states. Besides his many crimes, Dillinger is also remembered for breaking out of prison with a fake wooden pistol. Even though he was a dangerous man, he became something of a hero ordinary Americans in its prime.
4. Griselda Blanco. This lady from Miami looks more like an ordinary schoolboy mom than a... dangerous criminal. But many people know her by her nickname " Godmother cocaine." Blanco grew up in Miami, involved in crime with early age. After all, she was running a multibillion-dollar cocaine trafficking operation in the city. She was eventually sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for her crimes, but that didn't stop her. She continued to manage cocaine smuggling from prison with the help of her associates on the street.
5. Dawood Ibrahim. This gangster was the brains behind the wild and notorious criminal gang D Company. Overall, this gang was responsible for many bombings in India, including the 1993 series of bombings in Mumbai, which killed many innocent people. Ibrahim was in charge of this large and illegal organization that had tentacles all over India. Currently India's most wanted man, he has also said he has close ties to now-deceased al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
6. Pablo Escobar. This Colombian drug lord will certainly go down in history as one of the criminals we all remember. During his peak years, he was responsible for hundreds of murders and attacks. Making money huge fortune, he removed anyone in his path, be it rivals, police, or innocent people.
7. Al Capone. 
8. Lucky Luciano. There are many infamous American mafia figures that we could look at, but this guy is probably the most well known to everyone. Luciano was a very shrewd businessman. As the head of the respected Genovese family, he distinguished himself in all aspects organized crime from fraud to murder. Luciano was also the man behind the split of America into five different regions, ruled by a life of crime, and at that time largely formed the modern American Mafia. For this reason, many still know him as the father of organized crime in the United States.
9. The Kray Twins. By far the most notorious gangsters Britain has ever had. Their fame even extended to the American Mafia, who initially sought to team up with the twins, it was a sign of respect and the reputation they carried. Never one to shy away from conflict, they were responsible for a number of arson, fraud, attacks and murders at their peak in the 1960s. It all finally came to an end when they were each put on trial for murder.
10. Joaquin Guzman. He is a dangerous and psychotic Mexican drug dealer. As the leader of the country's Sinaloa Cartel, he was one of the most notorious drug traffickers the world has seen. The cartel also had interests in organized crime, and this, combined with their drug dealing, made them quite successful. A very powerful figure in the underworld since the late 2000s. Forbes estimated his personal worth at $1 billion. As you might expect, Guzman himself was a character who could be very unpredictable, ruthless and cruel. You won't make that kind of money and stay on top in this game unless you are a very cold and calculating person.
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