organized crime

mafia, extensive network of criminals who work together to accomplish illegal activities without getting caught

Organized crime or criminal organizations are groups or operations run by criminals, most commonly for the purpose of generating a monetary profit. The Organized Crime Control Act (U.S., 1970) defines organized crime as "The unlawful activities of ... a highly organized, disciplined association...".Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are politically motivated. Gangs sometimes become "disciplined" enough to be considered "organized". An organized gang or criminal set can also be referred to as a mob. The act of engaging in criminal activity as a structured group is referred to in the United States as racketeering. In the U.S., organized crime is often prosecuted federally under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), Statute (18 U.S.C. Part I Chapter 96 §§ 1961-1968).
See more at Wikipedia.org...

Noun
1. underworld organizations
(synonym) gangland, gangdom
(hypernym) social group
(hyponym) yakuza
(member-holonym) underworld
(member-meronym) gang, pack, ring, mob

Synonyms and related words:
Black Hand, Cosa Nostra, Mafia, black market, bootlegging, gambling, gangdom, gangland, gray market, illegal commerce, illegal operations, illegitimate business, illicit business, loan-sharking, moonshining, narcotics traffic, prostitution, protection racket, racket, shady dealings, the Mafia, the mob, the rackets, the syndicate, the underworld, traffic in women, usury, white slavery