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How 8 Crimes Actually Work — From Bank Robbery to the New York Mafia | How Crime Works Marathon

Insider・128 minutes read

The Lucchesi crime family has abandoned traditional values like honor for selfishness, with rules and exceptions guiding their activities. Organized crime, including bank robberies, gang violence, and gun smuggling across borders, reflects societal issues like wealth inequality, gang recruitment tactics, and police corruption, influencing communities globally.

Insights

The Lucchesi crime family has moved away from traditional values of honor, loyalty, and respect towards selfishness and greed.
Despite strict rules for members, exceptions exist, especially regarding lawsuits and involvement in stocks and bonds.
Prohibitions against certain violent acts are in place to avoid unwanted attention, but drug activities still yield significant profits for all five New York families.
The decline of organized crime, particularly the Lucchesi family, is attributed to increased law enforcement efforts, informants, and limited money-making opportunities.
Gang culture in London, influenced by the US, involves various criminal activities for income, with social media playing a significant role in promoting violence among vulnerable youth.

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Recent questions

What are the rules for Lucchesi crime family members?
The rules include not harming made members, avoiding relationships with another member's spouse, and being of full Italian descent.
What are the key factors contributing to the decline of organized crime?
Increased law enforcement efforts, informants, and limited money-making opportunities.
What are the roles within the structure of the mob?
The structure includes associates, made members, captains, and the administration, overseen by the boss.
What are the main activities of the five families in New York?
Drug dealing, controlling the state, and avoiding unwanted attention.
What is the role of the Commission in organized crime families?
The Commission acts as a board of directors, making decisions on territorial disputes.

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Summary

00:00

Decline of Lucchesi Crime Family in NYC

The principles of honor, loyalty, and respect in the Lucchesi crime family have been replaced by selfishness and greed.
Rules for members include not harming other made members, not pursuing relationships with another made member's spouse, and being of full Italian descent.
Exceptions exist to rules, such as avoiding lawsuits and involvement in stocks and bonds.
Prohibitions against killing women and children of family members and using explosive devices like bombs are in place to avoid unwanted attention.
Despite a no drug dealing rule, drug activities occur within all five families, bringing in significant profits.
The five families in New York, including the Genovese, Gambino, Lucasi, Colombo, and Bonanno families, control the state.
The Commission, acting as a board of directors, consists of the heads of the five families and makes decisions on territorial disputes.
The structure of the mob includes associates, made members, captains, and the administration, with the boss overseeing all operations.
Becoming a member of the family involves a ceremony with symbolic gestures like pricking a finger and swearing allegiance.
The decline of organized crime, particularly the Lucchesi family, is attributed to increased law enforcement efforts, informants, and limited money-making opportunities.

19:06

Bank Robbery: Planning, Disguises, and Getaway Tactics

Preferred banks for robbery had more cash on hand and were close to multiple interstates.
Casing a bank involved observing employees and identifying the most in-control individual.
Extensive preparation included studying bank manuals, employee guides, and different types of banks.
Disguises involved dressing down, using crazy glue on fingertips, wearing glasses, a baseball cap, and adjusting facial hair based on the location.
Considerations for weather conditions and timing of bank visits were crucial for blending in and avoiding suspicion.
Strategic bank visits were planned to avoid rush hour traffic and increase law enforcement response time.
Parking inconspicuously and using a typical car were essential for a successful getaway.
Exiting the bank involved turning corners, trotting away, changing appearance, and blending in with surroundings.
Checking for die packs involved inspecting money, hiding it in various places, and being cautious about storage locations.
The individual's motivation for bank robbery stemmed from a relative's involvement in a criminal organization and the need to pay off a life-threatening debt.

37:35

Biker Gang Rivalry and Undercover Agent Infiltration

The Hell's Angels had a rivalry with the Mongols motorcycle gang, with the Mongols being a California-based biker gang.
The 2002 Laughlin River Run in Laughlin, Nevada, saw a clash between the Hell's Angels and the Mongols at Harrah's Casino and the Flamingo Hotel, respectively.
Police response was massive during the incident, with various law enforcement vehicles converging on Casino Drive.
The Hell's Angels and Mongols clashed in various incidents, including the Hera's Casino riot, the Morongo Casino Riot, and the Twin Peaks shooting in Texas.
In biker clashes, the undercover agent present would intervene to protect innocent civilians from harm.
The agent received orders to confront the Banditos in Las Vegas and was watched by the Hell's Angels during the operation.
The agent allowed the Hell's Angels to witness him in criminal situations to avoid suspicion and pass "mud checks."
The Hell's Angels operate independently in their Charters, engaging in various legal and illegal activities to make money.
The agent was inducted into the Skull Valley Charter of the Hell's Angels through a staged murder of a Mongol member.
The agent faced threats and murder contracts from the Hell's Angels after his true identity was revealed, leading to personal and professional consequences.

55:07

"Gang Culture in UK: Income, Recruitment, Violence"

Street gangs in the UK derive a significant portion of their income from foot soldiers, like the speaker, who engage in illegal activities such as drug sales and violence.
Common methods of making money for street gangs in London include kidnappings, hits, and primarily drug sales from trap houses, which serve as safe spots for gang activities.
Gang wars in London can escalate from minor incidents to large-scale conflicts between different gangs, often based on postcodes or territories.
The recruitment process for gangs involves testing loyalty and assessing what skills or strengths new members can bring to the gang.
Counter lines are used by inner-city gangs in the UK to expand their operations into smaller towns and rural areas, often facilitated by older gang members.
Gang culture in the UK has been influenced by the US, with trends like the Bloods versus Crips rivalry and the use of colors to represent gang affiliations.
Social media plays a significant role in promoting gang violence, with drill music and online content influencing vulnerable young people to replicate violent behavior.
To prevent young people from being targeted by gangs, discipline and understanding the consequences of gang involvement are crucial.
The speaker advocates for a more nuanced approach to policing gangs, suggesting that building relationships and offering alternatives to criminal activities could be more effective than traditional stop-and-search methods.
Wealth inequality and the illegal drug trade are major contributors to gang violence, with the potential legalization of drugs posing both challenges and opportunities for gang activities.

01:08:45

Addressing Youth Gang Involvement Through Education

The key to addressing youth involvement in gangs is through re-education on consequences and showing love rather than fear.
Gang members often seek love and respect they lack at home, drawing them deeper into gang activities.
Youth centers play a crucial role in providing a safe space for rival gang members to engage in positive activities together, reducing gang involvement.
Schools can inadvertently fuel gang culture, especially in areas with gang conflicts, necessitating a community-wide effort to combat gang violence.
London's gang culture may set a standard for other gangs globally, with young people viewing it as cool rather than serious.
Leaving a gang is challenging and often requires relocating to a different area due to the risks and violence involved.
Ed Calderon, a former police agent, now works as a security consultant in the U.S., shedding light on gun smuggling and crime operations.
Firearms flow from the U.S. to Mexico, with individuals easily crossing the border multiple times carrying guns in various concealment methods.
Tijuana is a hub for innovative smuggling techniques, including vehicle modifications, concealment compartments, and even trebuchets for flinging items across the border.
Border patrol faces challenges in detecting firearms due to corruption, limited resources, and the use of social media for recruitment and advertisement by cartels.

01:24:10

Emergence of Ultraviolet Cartel in Mexico

The Sinaloa cartel has historically dominated the border and Mexico, but a new ultraviolet militarized cartel has emerged.
This new cartel seeks specific firearms like night vision equipment and suppressors for precision rifles.
Commercial gun manufacturers are creating aesthetically appealing cartel-like pistols.
A fascination with narco culture in Mexico has romanticized criminal organizations like Robin Hood figures.
The United States is criticized for its role in firearms crossing the border and outsourcing counter-drug policies to Mexico.
American law enforcement has made arrests and shared information with Mexico regarding firearms accessories.
The ATF's "Fast and Furious" operation allowed thousands of guns to cross the border, leading to conspiracy theories and anti-American sentiment in Mexico.
Mexico faces challenges with gun smuggling, corruption, and attempts to curb police dishonesty.
Noble cause corruption among police officers involves bending rules to catch criminals, leading to manipulation and blackmail by organized crime.
The speaker, Aleister Morgan, shares his personal experience with police corruption and the murder of his brother, highlighting the need for accountability and justice.

01:42:00

Police corruption and racism in the UK.

The police officer can apply to a magistrate to allow informants or undercover operatives to enter someone's life, with no external oversight.
Whistleblowers in the UK police face danger and lack support, often bullied and ostracized by colleagues for exposing corruption and racism.
Corrupt cops have networks of supporters who manipulate and fight allegations against them, creating a culture of disbelief within the police force.
Attempts to combat police corruption, like limiting source handlers' roles to five years, have backfired, expanding opportunities for organized crime.
The primary cause of police corruption, at least 99%, is linked to money from the illicit drug market, influencing every level of society.
Witness Protection is the last defense against police corruption, offering false identities and isolation from family and friends to ensure safety.
The Metropolitan Police in London faces the most significant corruption issue in the UK due to its size and concentration of organized crime.
The London Gangs Matrix, created after the 2011 uprisings, disproportionately targets black males, often based on association rather than criminal activity.
Stop and search powers under various sections of the law are frequently used to target young black males, perpetuating stereotypes and criminalizing black youth.
The misuse of stop and search powers, especially against black individuals, highlights systemic racism within the police force and criminal justice system.

01:59:18

Challenges in Policing and Community Relations

The SUS law, derived from the 1824 Vagrancy Act, allowed for stop and search based on suspicion, disproportionately affecting working-class individuals.
Despite being used since 1984, stop and search remains ineffective, with only 8% leading to convictions, highlighting the need for evidence-based usage.
Trauma and lack of mental health support exacerbate the negative experiences faced by black Britons, especially young individuals.
The Territorial Support Group (TSG) enforces police actions in London, often resorting to heavy-handed tactics and disproportionately targeting communities.
Instances of excessive force, such as handcuffing and restraint, perpetuate trauma and fear within communities, leading to unjust outcomes.
The criminal justice system's protection of officers involved in deaths in custody, particularly of black individuals, raises concerns about accountability and justice.
Lack of empathy and racial bias within policing contribute to the mistreatment of victims, such as dismissing reports of missing persons.
Recruitment processes within police forces may be flawed, leading to the retention of individuals who perpetuate negative behaviors and attitudes.
Building public trust requires transparency, accountability, and genuine efforts to collaborate with communities, addressing systemic issues within the police force.
Personal experiences, like being subjected to stop and search, can inspire individuals to train police officers on engaging positively with marginalized communities, promoting anti-racism and safer interactions.

02:15:23

Forging Crime: Old Paintings, Auction Tactics, Organized Crime

In the past, crime was easier due to lack of technology for testing evidence, making it harder to detect forgeries.
Pop boilers, old pictures passed off as genuine, were common in the 60s and 70s.
To create a fake old painting, sand down a canvas, prime it, and paint it, starting with the sky.
Quick-drying paint process involved using an undercoat and a hairdryer to speed up drying time.
To age a painting, use a walnut scramble and turf to create a weathered look.
Cracking a painting involved using B glue varnish, heating it, and washing it off to create cracks.
In auctions, creating fake identities for paintings and using fake provenance was common practice.
Auction tactics included pretending not to listen to potential buyers and signaling bidding limits.
Organized crime members engaged in various legitimate businesses like food supply, restaurants, and Hollywood.
Illegal activities like tax evasion, money laundering, insider trading, and counterfeiting were prevalent in organized crime operations.

02:31:03

Evolution of Organized Crime in Modern Times

Loan sharking is a method where individuals lend money at high interest rates, often used by those unable to access traditional bank loans, and often intertwined with gambling activities.
Gambling and loan sharking are closely linked, with individuals borrowing money from loan sharks to continue gambling, creating a cycle of debt.
Organized crime in present times involves online gambling, gun trafficking, drug dealing, and extortion as key sources of income, with a shift away from traditional methods like prostitution and bid rigging in construction.
Modern methods of earning for organized crime include fiber optics installation, involvement in legitimate businesses like restaurants, and adapting to government monitoring in industries like unions, construction, fish markets, and garbage collection.

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