The World’s Biggest Crime Organizations

Yamaguchi-gumi

The largest criminal organization in Japan and one of the biggest crime organizaitons in the world, the Yamaguchi-gumi boasts over 55,000 active members. It was founded before World War II and can be traced back to the labor union of dockworkers.

The organization amasses billions of dollars a year through various criminal activity including extortion, drug dealing, real estate, arms dealing, gambling, Internet porn and stock market manipulation. One of the members even assassinated the mayor of Nagasaki because he damaged his car in 2007.

Camorra

Mafias don’t come any bigger or older than the Camorra. Originating in Naples, Italy the Camorra has a history that dates back to the 18th century, though some believe it to be descended from a secret society in Spain in the 16th century.

Earlier activities included petty theft and extortion, but over time the group transformed into the menacing organization it is today. Currently, the Camorra dabble in murder, drug and sex trafficking, child labor and environmental violence through, oddly enough, garbage disposal management (the effect of which is causing soil and air pollution).

Arellano Felix Organization

Also known as the Tijuana Cartel, The Arellano Felix Organization is one of the most violent drug cartels in Mexico. Beginning with a mere 11 members, the family ‘business’ has grown in strength (and violence), infiltrating the Mexican law and judicial systems and trafficking cocaine, marijuana, heroin and methamphetamine to the states. Steven Soderbergh’s 2000 Oscar-winning film Traffic featured the gang and detailed the exploits of one of the world’s biggest crime organizations.

D-Company

Headed by one of the world’s most wanted and terrifying terrorists and crime bosses, Dawood Ibrahim, the D-Company is a criminal organization that funds and supports terrorist activity in their own country, India. They were responsible for financing the 1993 Mumbai terrorist bombings and also planned further attacks in Gujarat. The organization also amasses billions through arms and drug trafficking, contract killing, counterfeiting, extortion, real estate and, it is alleged, the Indian film industry.

The Numbers Gang

The Numbers Gang are a world-renown and one of the most fearsome prison gangs in the world. Operating from the Western Cape prison of Pollsmoor, the gang controls almost every prison in South Africa through violence and religion. The group is led by the 28s – in particular John Mongrel in Pollsmoor – and initiates subordinate members through forced sodomy and violence. The numbers – 28s, 27s and 26s – all ascertain a level and function within the gang and the systematized organization is in place across the South African prison system. Insubordination results in death.