In organized crime there is a hierarchy, with higher-ranking members making decisions that trickle down to the other members of the family. The Mafia is not a single group or gang — it is made up of many families that have, at times, fought each other in bitter, bloody gang wars.
Today, the American Mafia cooperates in various criminal activities with Italian organized crime groups, such as the Sicilian Mafia, the Camorra of Campania and the 'Ndrangheta of Calabria.
The Albanian mafia in the United States has been thought to greatly increase their dominant power and is one of the most violent criminal organisations in operation, particularly with their strong connections in the European Union.
Goodfella: A member of the Mafia. goomar or goomah: Americanized form of comare, a Mafia mistress. goombah: an associate, especially a senior member of a criminal gang.
The three main Italian mafia-style groups — the Cosa Nostra, Camorra and Ndrangheta — operate worldwide but keep a very low profile outside of Italy, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to detect these organised crime groups.
You must take this vow to be in the mafia. Amico– a friend that's not a member of the crime family.
In organized crime there is a hierarchy, with higher-ranking members making decisions that trickle down to the other members of the family. The Mafia is not a single group or gang — it is made up of many families that have, at times, fought each other in bitter, bloody gang wars.
History has shown that there are generally two outcomes for a life in the Mafia: prison or death. Several famous Mob figures have faced criminal charges over the years: Chicago's Al Capone was investigated for many crimes and was finally indicted on tax evasion.
The Sicilian Mafia was founded in Sicily by elements of the Camorra, a crime organization established in Naples, in the early 1800's. It became established in the United States through the immigration of some of its members in the latter 1800's, the early 1900's, and the mid-1960's and early 1970's.
Mafia in Italy and Yakuza in Japan
In Italy, there are three main mafia organisations that originated in the 19th century: the Cosa Nostra originating from the region of Sicily, the Camorra originating from the region of Campania, and the 'Ndrangheta originating from the region of Calabria.
Boss – Also known as the capomandamento, capocrimine, rappresentante, don, or godfather, is the highest level in a crime family. Underboss – Also known as the "capo bastone" in some criminal organizations, this individual is the second-in-command.
Sandifer, by the age of eight, quit attending school and began to roam the streets stealing cars and breaking into houses. At the age of ten, Sandifer was arrested on charges of armed robbery.
James Riddle Hoffa (born February 14, 1913 – disappeared July 30, 1975; declared presumed dead July 30, 1982) was an American labor union leader who served as the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) from 1957 until 1971. Brazil, Indiana, U.S. Bloomfield Township, Michigan, U.S.
The wives, mothers, daughters and sisters in the Italian mafia aren't often thought of as leaders within the organization. But women have played vital roles throughout its history and have done anything—from keeping secrets, to murder—in the name of the family.
#1: 'Ndrangheta
While pop culture has propped up the Sicilian Mafia, it's 'Ndrangheta that has the true stranglehold on illicit mob activity. Like the Cosa Nostra, 'Ndrangheta started in Italy - specifically the region of Calabria - before emigration made their enterprise more powerful and widespread.
Gangsters often keep their girlfriends in the dark about their criminal activities to protect them from reprisals and detection. But in some cases girls found themselves at risk of violence, including rape, by their own gang or rivals and believe they cannot turn to the authorities for help.
Mafias often engage in secondary activities such as gambling, loan sharking, drug-trafficking, prostitution, and fraud. The 'Ndrangheta, originating in the Southern Italian region of Calabria, is widely considered the richest and most powerful mafia in the world.
A mobster is a bad guy who's involved in organized crime or belongs to a gang. There are many movies about mobsters that take place in the 1920s and 30s. As opposed to individual criminals, members of crime syndicates and gangs belong to a large, structured criminal organization.
The Catholic Church in Italy has long been associated with the Mafia, thanks in part to their post-war common cause against communism.
Those currently active in the United States are the Sicilian Mafia, Camorra or Campanian Mafia, 'Ndrangheta or Calabrian Mafia, and Sacra Corona Unita or "United Sacred Crown". The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) refers to them as "Italian Organized Crime" (IOC).