This is a list of Italian organized crime groups around the world. Some of these organizations are not linked or affiliated in any way with the Cosa Nostra, the Camorra or the 'Ndrangheta, but are independent criminal groups created by Italian immigrants in other countries.

The Sicilian Mafia or Cosa Nostra (Italian: [ˈkɔːza ˈnɔstra, ˈkɔːsa -], Sicilian: [ˈkɔːsa ˈnɔʂː (ɽ)a]; "our thing"), [3] also referred to as simply Mafia, is a criminal society and criminal organization originating on the island of Sicily and dates back to the mid-19th century.

The best-known Italian organized crime group is the Mafia or Sicilian Mafia (referred to as Cosa Nostra by members). As the original group named " Mafia ", the Sicilian Mafia is the basis for the current colloquial usage of the term to refer to organized crime groups.

Feb 26, 2024 · As a result, gang mafia commanders have a reputation for being untouchable. The following are 15 of history’s most brutal, renowned, and feared Italian gangsters. Read more about famous gangsters here. 1. Al Capone was the …

Apr 10, 2025 · The Sicilian Mafia is made up of a coalition of criminal organizations—called “families” or “clans” in English and cosche (singular, cosca) in Italian—which engage in extortion, smuggling, gambling, and the mediation of disagreements between other criminals.

Apr 4, 2025 · Mafia, hierarchically structured society of criminals of primarily Italian or Sicilian birth or extraction. The term applies to the traditional criminal organization in Sicily and also to a criminal organization in the United States.

Oct 29, 2009 · By the 1950s, the Mafia (also known as Cosa Nostra, Italian for “Our Thing”) had become the preeminent organized-crime network in the United States and was involved in a range of underworld ...

Feb 16, 2020 · The Italian Mafia in the U.S. is organized into the Five Families, governed by The Commission. The Bonanno family was infiltrated by an FBI agent, which inspired the movie Donnie Brasco. John Gotti was the leader of the Gambino family in the 1980s and the 1990s.

Jul 3, 2023 · Italian Mafia Ranks and Roles: Who is Who in the Mob? The Mafia distinguishes itself from ordinary crime by its objective to exert control over both territory and the lives of the people residing within its domain. The primary focus of organized crime lies in securing long-term advantages and establishing dominance.

Aug 17, 2023 · The Italian Mafia has drastically curtailed the number of homicides it commits, opting for a more calculated and inconspicuous approach to violence. Presently, they deploy crimes like arson, physical assaults, and threats as intimidation tactics, which are less likely to attract police attention.