• Work is still on-going to rebuild the site styling and features. Please report any issues you may experience so we can look into it.

Does the mafia still exist?

Ogata

Gold Belt
@Gold
Joined
May 30, 2013
Messages
19,074
Reaction score
10,151
I know back in the days, the Italian-American mafia was huge but after the RICO act+ rise of corporation, it seems like they are not extinct. But when I check the Wikipedia to read about different crime organizations, I have noticed that lots of them are still "present"

For example, the five families the Chicago outfit as well as mixed ethnic gangs the winter hill gang is still around. The only major one that is defunct is Mickey Cohens gang/crime family.

If that's the case, how come there is no activity from them? Also how do they make money now a days considering the fact that they have a well known history?
 
I know back in the days, the Italian-American mafia was huge but after the RICO act+ rise of corporation, it seems like they are not extinct. But when I check the Wikipedia to read about different crime organizations, I have noticed that lots of them are still "present"

For example, the five families the Chicago outfit as well as mixed ethnic gangs the winter hill gang is still around. The only major one that is defunct is Mickey Cohens gang/crime family.

If that's the case, how come there is no activity from them? Also how do they make money now a days considering the fact that they have a well known history?


Of course the Mafia still exists. RICO has turned them into something different than they used to be, but they are still active and involved in several industries from construction to waste management, especially up north like in Chicago and NYC. The ability to prosecute the leaders and give them life sentences despite their layers of separation has turned out a lot of older members. Their code of honor disappears quicker than Jimmy Hoffa when you start throwing life sentences at them.

For example, the Chicago outfit runs a construction company that does a lot of business in the area. They mostly have their hands in more legitimate sources of income along with the standard drug and sex trades.
 
They're called the government now.
 
That reminds me to rewatch Gomorra
 
Side note to this thread: Just started watching Sopranos about 1 month ago. Starting Season 3 tonight, and REALLY digging it.
 
Yes. The game has just changed.

It's much easier and safer for them to extort you with credit card/bank account hacking schemes than showing up to your store and demanding weekly payment.
 
Might be a daft question on my part but does an organisation cease being a mafia per se if the intimidation tactics remain while all income sources have been legitimised?
 
Last edited:
Probably an impotent version of them still remains.
 
Yes. The game has just changed.

It's much easier and safer for them to extort you with credit card/bank account hacking schemes than showing up to your store and demanding weekly payment.

Dinosaurs are now Chicken...

Mobsters are now computer hackers...
 
If Tony Soprano`s kid wasn`t such a bitch, yes.
 
The Chicago Outfit as well as others aren't really organized like they used to be.

In fact, after Sam Giancana was whacked in his kitchen in oak park in 1975, it went downhill from there. (I actually lived a couple blocks from his house)

You don't have the same hierarchy there was... They keep a lower profile and less paper trail, not to mention they are into other ventures now outside of extorting money from local businesses.
 
There are still lots of examples of organized crime. One of the best mediums for them today are organized cyber-criminals. A group of about a dozen coders, along with the support of maybe 20-30 mules, can steal millions of dollars. The money is routed overseas (that's where the mules come in), and then brought back into the country.

As for traditional Mafiosos, some of them have transitioned into quasi-legitimate activities. Construction, shipping, and a lot of activities where unions have a really heavy-handed presence can be mediums for organized crime. Some of their legitimate businesses provide the capital necessary to get their illegitimate businesses (drugs, sex-trafficking, and others that make REAL money) off the ground.
 
The Yakuza are very active.

outrageb1.jpg
 
If they are, how do they make money?

If some old Italian guy came up to my property and demanded money I'd flatten his rigatoni ass and send him packing.
 
Side note to this thread: Just started watching Sopranos about 1 month ago. Starting Season 3 tonight, and REALLY digging it.


the comedic value is structured so fucking well in the show. peppered in so many scenes that anchor the series so well, where it's amusing as all hell watching the discourse between the characters.

Junior, that motherfucker haha.
 
If they are, how do they make money?

If some old Italian guy came up to my property and demanded money I'd flatten his rigatoni ass and send him packing.
They still control a few key ports.
 
Back
Top