Leaders of major criminal groups in the world (33 photos). The most powerful mafias in the world (10 photos) The richest mafiosi in history

Modern world has many criminal gangs, and each has its own leader, its own boss, its own head. But comparing the current leaders of the mafia and criminal organizations with the bosses of past dashing years is a matter doomed to failure and criticism. Past bosses of the criminal world created entire empires of evil and violence, extortion and drug trafficking. Their so-called families lived according to their own laws, and violation of these laws foreshadowed death and cruel punishment for disobedience. We bring to your attention a list of the most legendary and influential mafiosi in history.

10
(1974 - present time)

Once the leader of one of the largest drug cartels in Mexico, which is called Los Zetas. At the age of 17 he joined the Mexican army, and later worked in special squad to fight the drug cartel. The transition to the side of the traders occurred after he was recruited into the Golfo cartel. The private mercenary force Los Zetas hired from the organization later grew into the largest drug cartel in Mexico. Heriberto dealt very harshly with his competitors, for which his criminal group was given the nickname “Executioners.”

9
(1928 — 2005)

Since 1981, he led the Genovese family, while everyone considered Antonio Salermo to be the boss of the family. Vincent was nicknamed "Crazy Boss" for his, to put it mildly, inappropriate behavior. But, it was only for the authorities; Gigante’s lawyers spent 7 years bringing certificates indicating that he was crazy, thereby avoiding a sentence. Vincent's people controlled crime throughout New York and other major American cities.

8
(1902 – 1957)

The boss of one of the five mafia families of criminal America. The head of the Gambino family, Albert Anastasia, had two nicknames - “The Chief Executioner” and “The Mad Hatter”, and the first was given to him because his group “Murder, Inc.” was responsible for about 700 deaths. He was a close friend of Lucky Luciano, whom he considered his teacher. It was Anastasia who helped Lucky take control of the entire criminal world, carrying out contract killings for him of the bosses of other families.

7
(1905 — 2002)

Patriarch of the Bonanno family and the richest mobster in history. The history of the reign of Joseph, who was called “Banana Joe,” goes back 30 years; after this period, Bonanno voluntarily retired and lived in his personal huge mansion. The Castellamarese War, which lasted 3 years, is considered one of the most significant events in criminal world. Ultimately, Bonanno organized a crime family that still operates in the United States.

6
(1902 – 1983)

Meir was born in Belarus, the city of Grodno. Coming from Russian Empire became the most powerful man in the United States and one of the country's crime leaders. He is the creator of the National Crime Syndicate and the parent of the gambling business in the states. He was the largest bootlegger (illegal liquor dealer) during Prohibition.

5
(1902 – 1976)

It was Gambino who became the founder of one of the most influential families in criminal America. After seizing control of a number of highly profitable areas, including illegal bootlegging, a government port and an airport, the Gambino family becomes the most powerful of the five families. Carlo forbade his people from selling drugs, considering this type of business dangerous and attracting public attention. At its height, the Gambino family consisted of more than 40 groups and teams, and controlled New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Miami and Los Angeles.

4
(1940 – 2002)

John Gotti was a famous figure, the press loved him, he was always dressed to the nines. Numerous charges law enforcement agencies New Yorkers always failed, Gotti got away with it for a long time. For this, the press nicknamed him “Teflon John.” He received the nickname “Elegant Don” when he began to dress only in fashionable and stylish suits with expensive ties. John Gotti has been the leader of the Gambino family since 1985. During the reign, the family was one of the most influential.

3
(1949 – 1993)

The most cruel and daring Colombian drug lord. He went down in the history of the 20th century as the most brutal criminal and the head of the largest drug cartel. He organized the supply of cocaine to different parts of the world, mainly to the USA, on a grand scale, even transporting tens of kilograms on airplanes. During his entire activity as the head of the Medellin cocaine cartel, he was involved in the murders of more than 200 judges and prosecutors, more than 1,000 police officers and journalists, presidential candidates, ministers, and prosecutors general. Escobar's net worth in 1989 was more than $15 billion.

2
(1897 – 1962)

Originally from Sicily, Lucky became, in fact, the founder of the criminal world in America. His real name is Charles, Lucky, which means “Lucky”, they began to call him after he was taken to a deserted highway, tortured, beaten, cut, burned in the face with cigarettes, and he remained alive after that. The people who tortured him were Maranzano gangsters; they wanted to know the location of the drug cache, but Charles remained silent. After unsuccessful torture, they abandoned the bloody body without any signs of life by the road, thinking that Luciano was dead, where he was picked up by a patrol car 8 hours later. He received 60 stitches and survived. After this incident, the nickname “Lucky” remained with him forever. Luckey organized the Big Seven, a group of bootleggers to whom he provided protection from the authorities. He became the boss of Cosa Nostra, which controlled all areas of activity in the criminal world.

1
(1899 – 1947)

A legend of the underworld of those times and the most famous mafia boss in history. He was a prominent representative of criminal America. His areas of activity were bootlegging, prostitution, and gambling. Known as the organizer of the most brutal and significant day in the criminal world - St. Valentine's Day massacre, when seven were shot dead influential gangsters from Bugs Moran's Irish gang, including the boss's right hand. Al Capone was the first among all gangsters to “launder” money through a huge network of laundries, the prices of which were very low. Capone was the first to introduce the concept of “racketeering” and successfully dealt with it, laying the foundation for a new vector of mafia activity. Alfonso received the nickname “Scarface” at the age of 19, when he worked in a billiards club. He allowed himself to object to the cruel and seasoned criminal Frank Galluccio, moreover, he insulted his wife, after which a fight and a stabbing occurred between the bandits, as a result of which Al Capone received the famous scar on his left cheek. By right, Al Capone was the most influential person and terrifying at everyone, including the government, which was able to put him behind bars just for tax evasion.

Intelligence, cunning, and sober calculation - that's what helped these bandits stay afloat. Oh yes, we almost forgot: they were also helped by their composure, cruelty, and desire for blood.

1. Al Capone (1899 - 1947)

A legend of the underworld of those times and the most famous mafia boss in history. He was a prominent representative of criminal America. His areas of activity were:

• bootlegging ( illegal trade alcohol during Prohibition in the USA);
• prostitution;
• gambling business.

Known as the organizer of the most brutal and significant day in the history of the criminal world - the St. Valentine's Day Massacre (then seven influential gangsters from the Irish gang Bugs Moran, including the boss's right hand, were shot dead).

Al Capone was the first among all gangsters to “launder” money through a huge network of laundries, the prices of which were very low. Capone was the first to introduce the concept of “racketeering” and successfully dealt with it, laying the foundation for a new vector of mafia activity.

Alfonso received the nickname “Scarface” at the age of 19, when he worked in a billiards club. He then confronted violent criminal Frank Galluccio and insulted his wife. After this, a fight and a stabbing occurred between the bandits. Result: Capone received the famous scar on his left cheek. By right, Al was the most influential person and a terror to everyone, including the government, which was able to put him behind bars just for tax evasion.

Find out about Capone's most notorious crimes in the following video:

2. Lucky Luciano (1897 - 1962)

Originally from Sicily, Lucky became, in fact, the founder of the criminal world in America. His real name is Charles. They began to call him Lucky (translated as “Lucky”) after the bandit was taken to a deserted highway, tortured, beaten, cut, burned in the face with cigarettes, and he remained alive after that.

The people who tortured him turned out to be Maranzano gangsters. They wanted to know the location of a drug cache. But Charles did not give up. After unsuccessful torture, they abandoned the bloody body without any signs of life by the road, thinking that Luciano was dead. There, 8 hours later, the poor fellow was picked up by a patrol car. Luciano received 60 stitches and survived.

After this incident, the nickname “Lucky” remained with him forever. Luckey organized the “Big Seven,” a group of bootleggers to whom he provided protection from the authorities. He became the boss of Cosa Nostra, which controlled all areas of activity in the criminal world.

Source: wikipedia.org

3. Pablo Escobar (1949 - 1993)

The most brutal and daring Colombian drug lord. He entered the history of the 20th century as the most brutal criminal and the head of the largest drug cartel. He organized the supply of cocaine to different parts of the world, mainly to the USA, on a grand scale, even transporting tens of kilograms on airplanes. As the head of the Medellin cocaine cartel, he is credited with killing more than 200 judges and prosecutors, more than 1,000 police officers and journalists, presidential candidates, ministers, and prosecutors general. Escobar's net worth in 1989 was more than $15 billion.

Source: wikipedia.org

4. John Gotti (1940 - 2002)

John Gotti was a famous figure, the press loved him, he was always dressed to the nines. Numerous charges from New York law enforcement always failed; Gotti escaped punishment for a long time. For this, the press nicknamed him “Teflon John.” He received the nickname “Elegant Don” when he began to dress only in fashionable and stylish suits with expensive ties

John Gotti has been the leader of the Gambino family since 1985. During his “reign” this group was one of the most influential.

Source: wikipedia.org

5. Carlo Gambino (1902 - 1976)

It was Gambino who became the founder of the above-mentioned and one of the most influential families in criminal America. After seizing control of a number of highly profitable areas, including illegal bootlegging, a government port and an airport, the Gambino family became the most powerful of the five families.

Carlo forbade his people from selling drugs, considering this type of business dangerous and attracting public attention. At its height, the Gambino family consisted of more than 40 groups and teams, and controlled New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Miami and Los Angeles.

Source: wikipedia.org

6. Meir Lansky (1902 - 1983)

Meir was born in Belarus, the city of Grodno. A native of the Russian Empire became the most influential person in the United States and one of the country's crime leaders. He is the creator of the “National Crime Syndicate” and one of the progenitors of the gambling business in the states. He was also the biggest bootlegger.

Source: wikipedia.org

7. Joseph Bonanno (1905 - 2002)

Patriarch of the Bonanno family and one of the richest mobsters in history. The reign of Joseph, who was called “Banana Joe,” goes back 30 years. At the end of this period, Bonanno voluntarily retired and lived in his personal huge mansion. Joe organized a criminal family that still operates in the United States.

Toto Riina, the head of Cosa Nostra, the “boss of all bosses,” one of the most influential mafiosi in the world, was buried in Italy. Providing a “roof” for his empire, he promoted friends to the main positions in the country and actually put the entire government under control. His life is an example of how vulnerable politics is to organized crime.

Salvatore (Toto) Riina died in a Parma prison hospital at the age of 87. This man, who headed Cosa Nostra in the 1970s-90s, has dozens of political murders, merciless reprisals against businessmen and competitors, and several terrorist attacks. The total number of his victims runs into many hundreds. The world media writes about him today as one of the most brutal criminals of our days.

The paradox is that at the same time Toto Riina was one of the most influential politicians Italy. Of course, he did not participate in the elections. But he ensured the election of his “friends” and financed their promotion to the highest positions, and his “friends” helped him do business and hide from the law.

Like main character novel by Mario Puzo and film by Francis Ford Coppola "The Godfather", Toto Riina was born in the small Italian town of Corleone. When Toto was 19 years old, his father ordered him to strangle a businessman, whom he took hostage, but failed to obtain a ransom. After the first murder, Riina served six years, after which he made a stunning career in the Corleone clan of the Sicilian mafia.

In the 1960s, his mentor was the then “boss of all bosses” Luciano Leggio. Then the mafia took an active part in the political struggle and stood strongly behind the ultra-right.

In 1969, a convinced fascist, friend of Mussolini and Prince Valerio Borghese (his Roman villa is crowded with admiring tourists today) launched a full-fledged coup. As a result, the ultra-right were to come to power, and all communists in parliament were supposed to be physically destroyed. One of the first people Prince Borghese turned to was Leggio. The prince needed three thousand militants to seize power in Sicily. Leggio doubted the feasibility of the plan and delayed with a final answer. Soon the conspirators were arrested, Borghese fled to Spain, and the putsch failed. And Leggio, until the end of his days, boasted that he did not give his brothers to the putschists and “preserved democracy in Italy.”

Another thing is that the mafiosi understood democracy in their own way. Possessing almost absolute power on the island, they controlled the outcome of any elections. “The orientation of Cosa Nostra was to vote for the Christian Democratic Party,” one of the clan members recalled at the trial in 1995. “Cosa Nostra did not vote for either the communists or the fascists.” (quote from the book “Mafia Brotherhoods: Organized Crime the Italian Way”) by Letizia Paoli.

It is not surprising that the Christian Democrats regularly won majorities in Sicily. Party members - usually natives of Palermo or Corleone - held positions in the island government. And then they paid their mafia sponsors with contracts for the construction of housing and roads. Another native of Corleone, Vito Ciancimino, an oligarch, Christian Democrat and good friend of Toto Riina, worked in the mayor’s office of Palermo and argued that “since the Christian Democrats receive 40% of the votes in Sicily, they are also entitled to 40% of all contracts.”

However, there were also honest people among the party members. Once in Sicily, they tried to curb local corruption. Toto Riina invariably shot such dissidents.

The mafia economy worked at the very least. In the 1960s, generally poor Sicily experienced a construction boom. “When Riina was here, everyone in Corleone had a job,” complained a local old-timer to The Guardian journalist, who visited Corleone immediately after the death of his godfather. “These people gave work to everyone.”

Even more promising business There was drug trafficking in Sicily. After the defeat of the Americans in Vietnam, the island became the main transport hub for the transport of heroin to the United States. To seize control of this business, Riina cleared all of Sicily of competitors in the mid-1970s. In just a few years, his militants killed several hundred people from other “families.” Relying on fear, the “godfather” organized exemplary brutal reprisals. So, he ordered the 13-year-old son of one of the mafiosi to be kidnapped, strangled and dissolved in acid.

In the late 1970s, Riina was recognized as the "boss of all bosses". By this time, the political influence of the Sicilian mafia had reached its peak, and the Christian Democrats had actually become a pocket party of Cosa Nostra. “According to the testimony of members of criminal gangs, from 40 to 75 percent of parliamentarians from Christian Democrats were supported by the mafia,” writes Letizia Paoli in her investigation. That is, Riina brought the largest political force in Italy under control. The Christian Democrats were in power for about forty years. Party leader Giulio Andreotti became prime minister of the country seven times.

The connection between the bosses of Cosa Nostra and Giulio Andreotti was carried out by one of the representatives of the party elite, Salvatore Lima. IN Sicilian mafia he was considered “one of our white collar workers.” His father was himself a respected mafioso in Palermo, but Lima received a good education and, with the help of his parent’s “friends,” made a party career. Becoming Andreotti's right-hand man, at one time he worked in the cabinet, and at the time of his death in 1992 he was a member of the European Parliament.

Witnesses claimed that the Italian prime minister knew Toto Riina well and once even kissed his godfather on the cheek as a sign of friendship and respect. Giulio Andreotti was brought to trial more than once for connections with the mafia and for organizing the murder of journalist Mino Pecorelli, who revealed these connections, but each time he got away with it. But the story of the kiss always infuriated him - especially when director Paolo Sorrentino retold it in his hit movie Il Divo. “Yes, they made it all up,” the politician explained to The Times correspondent. “I would kiss my wife, but not Toto Riina!”

Having such high-ranking patrons, the “godfather” could organize high-profile murders and purge competitors without fear of anything. On March 31, 1980, the first secretary of the Communist Party in Sicily, Pio La Torre, proposed a draft anti-mafia law to the Italian parliament. It for the first time formulated the concept of organized crime, contained a demand for confiscation of the property of mafia members, and provided for the possibility of prosecuting the “godfathers.”

However, the Christian Democrats who controlled the parliament threw amendments at the project in order to delay its adoption as much as possible. And two years later, the car of the unrelenting Pio La Torre was blocked in a narrow alley in Palermo near the entrance to the headquarters of the Communist Party. The militants, led by Toto Riina's favorite killer Pino Greco, shot the communist with machine guns.

The next day, General Carlo Alberto Dalla Chiesa was appointed prefect of Palermo. He was called upon to investigate the activities of the mafia in Sicily and the connections of the godfathers with politicians in Rome. But on September 3, Chiesa was killed by Toto Riina's killers.

These demonstrative killings shocked all of Italy. Under pressure from an indignant public, parliament nevertheless adopted La Torre's law. However, it turned out to be difficult to apply.

An amazing thing: the “boss of all bosses” Toto Riina had been wanted since 1970, but the police only shrugged their shoulders. In fact, she always did this. In 1977, Riina orders the murder of the head of the Carabinieri of Sicily. In March 1979, on his orders, the head of the Christian Democrats in Palermo, Michele Reina, was killed (he tried to break the corrupt system of power on the island). Four months later, Boris Giuliano, the police officer who caught Riina’s people with a suitcase of heroin, was killed. In September, a member of the Mafia Crime Investigation Commission was shot and killed.

Subsequently, when the “godfather” was finally handcuffed, it turned out that all this time he had been living in his Sicilian villa. During this time, four children were born to him, each of whom was registered according to all the rules. That is, the island’s authorities knew perfectly well where one of the country’s most wanted criminals was.

In the 1980s, Riina launches a campaign of large-scale terror. The corrupt government is so weak that it cannot resist the “godfather”. Another series of political murders is followed by a large-scale terrorist attack - an explosion on a train, which killed 17 people. But that was not what destroyed him.

Toto Riina's empire collapsed from within. Mafioso Tommaso Buscetta, whose sons and grandchildren died during the intra-clan war, decided to hand over his accomplices. His testimony was taken by magistrate Giovanni Falcone. With him active participation in 1986 a large-scale trial over members of Cosa Nostra, during which 360 members of the criminal community were convicted, another 114 were acquitted.

The results could have been better, but even here Riina had her own people. The trial was presided over by Corrado Carnevale, a native of Palermo, nicknamed the “Sentence Killer.” Carnevale rejected every accusation he could, nitpicking over little things like a missing seal. He also did everything to commute the sentences of those convicted. Thanks to his connivance, most of Riino's soldiers were soon released.

In 1992, Giovanni Falcone and his fellow magistrate Paolo Borsalino were bombed in their own cars. A riot almost broke out in Sicily. The newly elected President Luigi Scalfaro was pushed out of the Palermo Cathedral by an angry crowd and was ready to lynch him. Scalfaro was also a member of the Christian Democratic Party, whose connections with Toto Riina had long been an open secret.

On January 15, 1993, the “godfather” was finally arrested in Palermo and has since gone through many trials. In total, he was given 26 life sentences, and at the same time excommunicated from the church.

Simultaneously with Riina’s career, the history of the Christian Democratic Party of Italy ended. All its leaders, including Giulio Andreotti, went to trial, and many went to prison. Andreotti himself was sentenced to 24 years in prison, but the sentence was later overturned. In 1993, the party suffered a crushing defeat in the elections and disbanded in 1994.

Toto Riina outlived his empire by 23 years, becoming the main symbol not only of the entire Italian mafia, but also of a system in which one bandit can subordinate the government of a European country to his interests.

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 They often feel unpunished and create real criminal empires, intimidating civilians and government officials. 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 look 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 into the sphere criminal activity theft of expensive cars, racketeering, robberies and kidnappings were added.

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, this became a 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 boss of the Gambino family, he made it the richest and most powerful family 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. Recent years lived in Miami and died in a hospital from cancer.

7. Joseph Bonanno

This mafioso occupied 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 hairdresser, ordered by 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 earned the nickname "Boss Crazy" and "Pajama King" for his erratic behavior and walking around New York City 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 in Mexico. From the age of 17 he served in the Mexican army and in a special unit 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 its boundless cruelty against competitors, bloody murders against officials public figures, police and civilians (including women and children) 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.

9. Albanian mafia

Albania consists of numerous criminal groups. Their rules have remained unchanged since the 15th century... The Albanian mafia is involved in the trade of white slaves, alcohol and tobacco, controls prostitution, car theft and racketeering. She began her “activities” in the 80s of the last century. Widely represented in the USA and Britain. Distinctive feature is the cruelty used in acts of revenge.
8. Serbian mafia


The Serbian mafia has found its place among the leaders, since it operates in dozens of countries around the world and is associated with drug smuggling, contract killings, racketeering, robberies, control of bets and gambling houses. Interpol lists about 350 Serbian citizens, who are often employees and leaders of the largest drug cartels in the world. Serbian gangsters are also known for intellectual heists, often reenacting Hollywood scenarios, as well as quick and clean executions. Currently there are about 30-40 groups operating in Serbia
7. Israeli mafia


These guys work in the field of banditry in many countries, their main activity is drug trafficking and prostitution. Times have changed, and if previously they were once looked at with reverence because of their ability to provide protection, today it is ruthless killers don't think twice before pulling the trigger. The Russian-Israeli mafia has strengthened its political system The United States is so good that even the vaunted American army is beyond the power to knock them out.
6.Mexican Mafia


The Mexican Mafia is a powerful criminal structure in the United States, with roots in the prison world. Originated in the 50s, it was positioned as the protection of Mexicans in US prisons from other criminals and prison guards. The main activities are extortion and drug trafficking. They are prone to quick reprisals against those they dislike and those who do not pay them the tax they set.
5. Japanese Yakuza

The Japanese mafia proudly traces its origins to impoverished noble samurai, or ronin, as they were called in Japan. Heirs of noble fathers with many children, who sometimes had nothing but a sword, they inherited only the right to wear a sword and even comb their hair like a samurai: shave their forehead and crown, braid long hair from the back of their head into a tight braid and stick it on their bluish scalp. Although the Japanese mafia is known throughout the world, everyday life In these cities it is difficult to spot it right away. Meanwhile, the Japanese mafia numbers one hundred and ten thousand people, while the noisy and violent American mafia numbers only twenty thousand. Considering that the population of the United States is approximately twice that of the Japanese, it is not difficult to calculate that for every Japanese there are eleven times as many professional rapists, robbers and murderers as there are Americans. Areas of activity: racketeering, distribution of prohibited pornography from Europe and America, prostitution and illegal emigration.
4. Chinese triads


That rapidly growing China is rapidly becoming a leader global development, they say today all over the world. But there is also negative aspects this process. As China strengthens its leading position in the global economy, Chinese organized crime will rapidly expand its presence in transnational criminal relations. The “Triads” have already started a “third world war” for their competitors! Having “ridden” the migration processes, the mafia structures of China and the Chinese mafia in other countries have seized leading positions in organizing human trafficking and establishing flows of illegal migration. A Europol report (June 2006) noted that Chinese mafia groups were named leaders in human trafficking in countries European Union. Chinese "triads" have supplanted the home-grown mafia in Japan - the yakuza: the Chinese account for about half of all crimes committed by foreigners.
3. Colombian drug cartels


The Colombian mafia is one of the world's largest suppliers of cocaine. All efforts government authorities still remain in vain, since the bandits’ business is more than successful. The Colombian drug mafia has existed since the mid-60s of the last century. The Medellin and Cali cartels quickly became the world's leading cocaine producers.
2. Sicilian and American Cosa Nostra


Members of the Sicilian mafia (from left to right), Salvatore Lo Bue, Salvatore Lo Cicero, Gaetano Lo Presti, Giuseppe Scaduto, Antonino Spera, Gregorio Agrigento, Luigi Caravello, Mariano Troia, Giovanni Adelfio and Francesco Bonomo In the 13th century. Sicily was constantly plundered not only by Algerian pirates, but also by detachments of French mercenaries who served the Northern Italian dukes and princes. The organized armed struggle of the islanders against the French began in 1282 under the slogan “Morete alla Francia, Italia anela” (“Die, France - sigh, Italy”); From the first letters of the call, the Sicilians composed a battle cry: “Mafia!” Soon, self-defense units turned into units of professional fighters who began to take tribute from peasants for protection from external enemies. In the 19th century mafia that became unified system, even tried to achieve the separation of the island from Italy and proposed an alliance with Giuseppe Garibaldi, but the troops of the Principality of Piedmont defeated her. IN late XIX V. thousands of Sicilians, fleeing poverty and clan wars, moved to America. In major cities of the United States, Cosa Nostra (“Our Cause”) arose - a network of Sicilian “families” that controlled casinos, smuggling, prostitution, illegal trafficking in alcohol, tobacco and weapons, and also engaged in racketeering. All the "consorteries" of Sicily form a "venerable community", headed by the Capo di tutti Capi, the head of all chapters. Important figures in the mafia structure are also picciotti di ficatu (hitmen), stopalieri (bodyguards), gabellotti (judges) and consiglieri (advisers).
1. Russian mafia


The Russian mafia numbers 500,000 people. Her godfathers control 70% Russian economy, as well as prostitution in Macau and China, drug trafficking in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, money laundering in Cyprus, Israel, Belgium and England, car theft, trade in nuclear materials and prostitution in Germany. With the disappearance of the Iron Curtain, the expansion of Russian crime ceased to be controlled and directed, as it was before the collapse of the USSR. The first wave of “export” of crime from the territory of what was then the USSR took place in the early 70s, when Soviet Jews were allowed to leave for Israel. This wave was not comparable to the second - when the “Iron Curtain” collapsed with the collapse of the USSR. Then the world really appreciated the size of Russian crime, which it called the “Russian mafia.” Russian criminal communities sometimes expressed very specific interests in different countries peace. So, in December 1993 Western press for the first time mentioned that the groups were “shaking” Russian hockey players playing in foreign clubs, the so-called “legionnaires”. The mass of materials on this topic in the press in subsequent years indicated that the “sports racket” had become truly industrial scale. According to some reports, the Russian criminal community now operates in 50 countries around the world. According to American professor Louise Shelley, the ROP has taken $150 billion out of the Russian Federation since 1991. According to other sources - 50 billion dollars, but also a lot.