At What Time Period Did The First Forms Of Organized Crime Begin?

Question

Was it with the pirates, or the Hindu Thugee cult... who were the first group of organized criminals?

Answer 1

As others have stated, it probably goes all the way back to caveman days. However, when you say "organized crime" most people think of the Mafia, which began in Medieval times. They were originally revolutionaries, who wanted independence for Sicilians. Like may revolutionary groups before and since, they turned to smuggling to raise money. From there, it's a short step to branching out into all other kinds of crime.

Answer 2

You're going to have to define your terms - what precisely do you mean by organized crime. More than one person involved in crimes? A hierarchy of criminals?
The very first organized crimes probably took place soon after some form of trading evolved. But there are no historical records going back that far. If you're talking about recorded history, there were criminal gangs in China several thousand years ago, and in India. There were criminal gangs in Roman times, and in medieval England.

Answer 3

Some would say that government was the first form of true organized crime.
Calvin Coolidge almost echoes this sentiment when he said that the government keeping any tax money it doesn't use as "legalized robbery."

As long as there has been trade across isolated stretches of land and sea there have been bandits and pirates.

In ancient Rome the collegia were often used as guilds, a precursor to unions, and a way to control trade. While not strictly organized crime, it would be naive to assume they did not participate in underhanded activities.

The way I see it, any group who forces a producer or distributor to pay them bribes or "kickback" money in order to operate, or who illegally takes control of some or all of one's goods or profit from those goods, could be considered as "organized crime."

Answer 4

Thag and thug the first primates who dragged their knuckles on the ground to much and decided if they band together they can take what they want with less dragging. Muggy found out a little bit of loving will get her a Dino burger and less dragging her knuckles on the ground. Borger thug started the first rock band and called themselves rok. and so on and so on.......But it all started with Cain who later rebeled against the rules

Answer 5

Probably with the advent of the oldest civilization? Even the ancient Eskimos robbed each other.

Answer 6

That would be caveman Uurk, Uurg and Gnork who accosted hunter Gawk as he was returning home with three freshly caught ducks. In exchange for 2 ducks they allowed him to go home safely.

Answer 7

I am sure it happened in cave man days.

Looting of neighbours and stealing their wives and livestock, skins etc. has been happening from the beginning of time.

Answer 8

I don't really know...............at all