Chapter 16 - Organized Crime

Question 1

Bureaucratic/Hierarchical Model

Answer 1

Argues that bureaucratic and/or corporate principles govern the functioning of the organized crime organization

Question 2

Cybercrime

Answer 2

Illegal acts in which a computer and a network are central to committing a crime and are also the targets of the crime.

Question 3

Debit Card Fraud

Answer 3

A four step process;

1. create fake items
2. steal personal identification and banking information from legitimate cards
3. Emboss stolen info on fake item
4. Use illegal item for purchases or cash advances.

Question 4

Extortion

Answer 4

An offender unlawfully obtains money, property, or services from another through coercion and intimidation.

Question 5

Human Trafficking

Answer 5

Illegal trade in people for purposes of commercial sexploitation and other forms of forced labour.

Question 6

Italian-Canadian Organized Crime Groups

Answer 6

Mafia

La Cosa Nostra

‘ndrangheta

Question 7

Kinship Model

Answer 7

Argues that Family/Kinship ties govern the functioning of the organized crime organization and its power structure

Question 8

La Cosa Nostra

Answer 8

Term used to denote Italian-American organized crime. It was originally applied by the FBI in an attempt to make this criminal fraternity sound ominous and threatening. Members of the so-called LCN never used this label themselves, though they have often referred to their secret society as “this think of ours” which roughy translates into Italian as “la Cosa Rostra”

Question 9

Loansharking

Answer 9

Lending money at very high interest rates, often enforced with physical force.

Question 10

Montreal Mafia

Answer 10

Was controlled by New York’s Bonanno family but since 1970s dominated by those of Sicilian heritage under the command of Rizzuto family. Once the most powerful in Canada has experienced decline because of arrests (Vito Rizzuto in US), rival crime groups, and murder of patriarch Nicolo Rizzuto.

Question 11

Network Model

Answer 11

Argues for a fluid and loosely knit network of like-minded criminal entrepreneurs, none of whom has any long-term authority over the others. Not hierarchical but symmetrical. Relations definined not by power but by funtion or by investment made by a “business partner”.

Question 12

Patron-Client Model

Answer 12

Argues that a patron-middleman (captain) in any given area oversees/governs the functioning of the organized crime organization and its power structure on that region and reports back to a Boss/Underboss/Counsellor

Question 13

Puppet Club

Answer 13

Motorcycle Gang subservient to a more dominant outlaw motorcycle gang. Often expected to carry out dirty work for the other.

Question 14

Toronto Mafia

Answer 14

Was answerable to Magaddino family in Buffalo, but since 1970s has been controlled by 7 Calabrian families, all part of an international network of ‘ndangheta cells.

Question 15

Transnational Organized Crime

Answer 15

Organized Crime that is coordinated and conducted across national borders

Question 16

Vory V Zakone

Answer 16

A “thief in law”. A high ranking, well-respected organized crime figure in the old Soviet underworld and the new Republic of Russia. Akin to the Italian Mafia. The code of the “Thieves World” emphasizes a rejection of government authority and traditional social norms. The “Vor” predate the Soviet Union, but many were inmates interned in Soviet prison camps who organized themselves in an attempt to rule the criminal underworld.

Question 17

Organized Crime (legal definition)

Answer 17

1. More than two people
2. Each with an appointed task
3. For a prolonged or indefinite period of time
4. using some form of discipline or control
5. suspected of commission of serious criminal offences
6. opereating at an international level
7. using violence or other means suitable for intimidation
8. using commercial or busineslike structure
9. engaged in money laundering
10. exerts influence on politics, media, public admin, judicial authority, or economy
11. determined by pursuit of profit and/or power