Are there different kinds of mafias, or just one, the Italian (or Italian-American) one?

Answer 1

Differnt kinds. Different ethnicities have them; the Chinese and Japanese, the Russians, Albanians, Israelis; those are just a few of the larger "organized" types of different ethnic mafias that come to mind. The main one people think of of course is usually Italian, actually the one most people are probably actually thinking of is the (originally) Sicilian "CosaNostra" ("our thing"). But in Italy, even in other parts of Europe and in the US as well, you have different groups of mafias, mainly based on regions. For example, amongst the Italians besides, or along side of, the Sicilian-based CosaNostra, you have the Napolitan-based Camorra. You have the southern-central Italian "SacraCoronaUnita" (the United Sacred Crown). You have the 'Ndrangheta (Calabrian mafia basically, the name comes from old Greek word which means "Rackets" , I think). Here's some further info on Italian mafias I found as well :

Sacra Corona Unita is an organized crime group based in the Italian peninsula, often operating in port areas such as Bari but claiming membership from regions such as Campagna, the generally poorer rural regions of Basilicata , and Molise, Abruzzo, and even Lazio (where Rome and the Vatican are located). Sacra Corona Unita, which means "United Sacred Crown", is believed to primarily deal with certain Eastern European organized crime elements mostly active on the central or southern Adriatic side of Italy, dealing in gambling and bookmaking; pornography distributions; bringing in illegal immigrants (primarily Albanians); bringing in cigarettes and other goods from various parts of Europe for sale on local black markets. Sacra Corona Unita is said to have a relatively small presence in the United States, "primarily concentrated in areas where larger clusters of immigrants originating in southern-central Italy have settled, for example certain neighborhoods of New York and New Jersey, definitely Philadelphia, and possibly Chicago, " said FBI analyst John Miller.

"The United Sacred Crown is a more truly Latin-flavored old-country type of mafia with leaders, known as capodecinas, or captains of ten, adhering to the old rules such as a general refusal to deal in narcotics. Whether or not that is adhered to by the rank-and-file 'soldiers' is of course debatable. Also, they are apparently a devoutly Roman Catholic group; their name in fact indicates the sacred crown of thorns worn by Christ. Rosaries are of special significance to members, and many members will in fact wear rosaries on their persons, as the links in the rosary beads are supposed to be representative of the 'unity' between members. They also may favor religious jewelry or tattoos which feature the head of Christ crowned in thorns, and some may bear a tattoo of praying hands entwined with a rosary and a saying in Latin which translates to 'Only the Mother Feels my Pain' ; evidently a reference to the Roman Catholic emphasis on the Virgin Mary. They are said to organize their groups in the way that ancient Roman or Italic legions were organized with larger units broken down into decinas , complete with foot soldiers, generals, enforcers, and so on ." Miller explained, reading from an FBI report on the group.

"The 'Ndrangheta is the Calabrese mafia, basically. The name indicates the word 'Rackets' , and is derived from a Greek word. They, along with the traditional Sicilian Cosa Nostra, have a larger presence in the United States due to larger numbers of immigrants from the Calabrian and Sicilian regions of Italy who ended up settling permanently in the United States, mostly in large northern cities such as New York, New Jersey, and Chicago." Miller stated.

Answer 2

The term "mafia" originated from Italian/Sicilian crime organizations -- I think it comes from a mistranslation of "la familia" which means family in Italian -- but the term is now widely used for organized crime groups, even those that are of different ethnic groups. They say there's a Russian Mafia, an Israeli Mafia, a Japanese Mafia (called the Yakuza), the list goes on and on.

Answer 3

oh no.. there are Deff different kind..

but the most well known one.. and the ones to start it were the Sicilians .. the Irish were pretty well known to work with the Italian mob as well

Answer 4

There are many organized criminal gangs in the US.
Some are Hispanic, some black American, some Jamaican, some Asian, some white, among others.
A hundred or more years ago, organized crime was typically Irish, and Swedish before that.

Answer 5

Many kinds. Russian, Asian, Japanese, Italian. Most countries have one.

Answer 6

Chinese, Scottish, Irish, Japanese, Indian, Pakistani, El Salvadroian,

Answer 7

Irish mafia, Russian mafia, (i've actually have some cousins in the Irish one)

Answer 8

mafias exist in almost all countries, not just in italy or in america. some countries have different names for them though.