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How 8 Crimes Actually Work — From Money Laundering To Diamond Heists | How Crime Works Marathon

Insider・107 minutes read

Jimmy Tsui, known as Bighead, was part of the Sun Yee On triad in Hong Kong before leaving after being shot, revealing insights into the triads' ceremonies, business activities, and territorial disputes. Robert Mazur's recount of undercover work in money laundering for Pablo Escobar's cartel sheds light on the complex operations and challenges faced, ultimately leading to successful prosecutions and advocating for enhanced banking compliance against illegal drug activities.

Insights

Triads in Hong Kong, like Sun Yee On, engage in legal and illegal activities, controlling various aspects of society, including businesses and territorial disputes, with strict rules for members' behavior.
Undercover agents like Robert Mazur infiltrate criminal organizations like Pablo Escobar's cartel, detailing the complexities of money laundering processes and instrumental recordings for prosecution.
In prison, gangs like the NF follow paramilitary structures, with a focus on communication methods, and violence is seen as a means to gain respect and elevate status within the gang.
Speakers share personal stories of criminal pasts, highlighting the destructive cycles of addiction, manipulation, and criminal activities, aiming to deter youngsters from engaging in similar lifestyles.
Criminal activities like counterfeiting and organized burglaries involve meticulous planning, attention to detail, and strategic execution to evade detection and maximize financial gains, often leading to legal consequences.

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Recent questions

What are triads in Hong Kong?
Criminal organizations with strict rules and various activities.
How do triads operate in society?
Through legal and illegal activities with strict rules.
What is the structure of triads?
Hierarchical with generals, soldiers, and strict rules.
What are the consequences of leaving a triad?
Retaliation and distancing from criminal activities.
How do triads maintain control?
Through territorial disputes and strict rules.

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Summary

00:00

Former Triad Member Jimmy Tsui's Story

Jimmy Tsui, also known as Bighead, was a former high-level member of the Sun Yee On triad in Hong Kong.
In 1992, Jimmy was shot five times by someone he knew, as retaliation for his soldiers shooting a member of another gang.
Triads in Hong Kong include Sun Yee On, 14K, Shing Wo, and Shui Fong, with many members having connections in the United States.
Triad ceremonies involve swearing oaths, drinking blood wine, and following strict rules like obeying the main boss and not stealing from each other.
Triads collect protection money from nightclubs, with shareholders being members of the gang.
Triads engage in legal businesses like production companies and bowling alleys, as well as underground activities such as money laundering and drug trafficking.
Triads control various aspects of Hong Kong society, including the movie industry, and have strict rules for members' behavior.
Triad members have specific positions like generals, soldiers, and blue lanterns, with a hierarchical structure controlled by one family.
Triads engage in territorial disputes, often leading to wars without firearms due to strict gun laws in Hong Kong.
Jimmy decided to leave the gangster life after being shot, relinquishing control to his soldiers and distancing himself from criminal activities.

16:25

Triad Origins, Gang Life, Money Laundering Insights

Hung Mun is the first triad, which later split into separate triads named after the three big rivers in the southeast area.
Sun Yee On in Hong Kong is the largest triad in Southeast Asia with around 200,000 members worldwide.
High-level members of Sun Yee On transitioned to legitimate businesses, while underground activities were left to lower-level members.
The narrator was born in 1965 in Hong Kong's Yau Ma Tei district, controlled by the triad, leading to his early exposure to gang life.
Immigrating to the United States due to gang influence, the narrator encountered the Ghost Shadows gang in Chinatown, facing threats to join or pay for protection.
Joining the Tung On gang at 14 after a classmate's suggestion, the narrator later became a member of Sun Yee On at 22, after eight years in the gang life.
The narrator, now involved in the Chinatown Gang Stories YouTube channel, aims to share former gang members' stories to reveal the reality of gang life.
A cautionary message is given to the new generation, advising against trusting anyone except parents and not glamorizing gang life portrayed in movies.
Robert Mazur recounts his experience undercover laundering money for Pablo Escobar's cartel, highlighting the role of money laundering in enabling corruption and control.
Mazur details the intricate process of money laundering, including layering funds through offshore entities and using couriers to distribute cash discreetly.

31:52

Undercover DEA Agent Exposes Money Laundering Syndicate

Emir Abreu received a call from Gonzalo Mora, with Gerardo Moncada, Pablo Escobar's manager, accusing Musella of being a DEA agent, leading to a halt in deals.
Traffickers requested Musella to open US dollar accounts in Panama due to its secrecy and connections to Gen. Manuel Noriega.
Musella approached Bank of Credit and Commerce International in Tampa, providing a résumé to open an account, revealing money laundering operations.
Through interactions, Musella gained insight into BCCI's inner circle, managed by Amjad Awan, laundering drug profits for Noriega.
Recordings of conversations with BCCI officials were pivotal in prosecuting drug traffickers, money launderers, and BCCI senior officials.
Musella strategically guided conversations to expose criminal intent, using references like Lee Iacocca to emphasize clients' illicit activities.
Musella encountered various intermediaries facilitating money laundering, including bankers, lawyers, and financial-service corporations.
The undercover operation culminated in the arrest of 85 individuals, seizing $600 million in fines and forfeitures, and 3,000 pounds of cocaine.
Musella's emotional exhaustion post-operation led to a retreat with family, reflecting on the surreal nature of his actions compared to the arrested bankers.
Musella advocates for enhanced banking compliance measures, joint money-laundering task forces, and highlights the challenges posed by cryptocurrency in combating illegal drug activities.

45:47

Prison Gang Dynamics and Corruption Explained

In prison, new arrivals are welcomed into a group setting and provided with essential items like soap, shampoo, and toothpaste.
A 114 lockup order is crucial for gang members, indicating their affiliation and any offenses they may have committed.
The NF organization follows a paramilitary structure with different ranks like captains, lieutenants, and commanders.
The inner council and general council make decisions for the NF organization, with generals overseeing prisons, streets, and internal affairs.
The SHU program is a highly restrictive environment within prisons, with inmates spending most of their time in cells.
In the SHU program, inmates are constantly on guard for potential conflicts and must be prepared for sudden altercations.
Weapons are hidden in various locations within prisons, including under sinks, in walls, and even concealed in anal cavities for transport.
In the past, conflicts between different gangs like the NF, Mexican Mafia, and Aryan Brotherhood led to violent confrontations on prison yards.
Despite rivalries, inmates sometimes find common ground and engage in activities like playing chess or sharing items like toothpaste.
Corruption is prevalent in county jails, with some officers engaging in relationships with inmates and smuggling in contraband like drugs and cellphones.

58:19

Prison Gang Communication and Currency System

In prison, a method of communication involves making a line with elastic or sheet strands to pass messages between cells.
A secret language called Nahua, an Aztec language, is used for covert communication in front of officers.
The NF gang's insignia includes a sombrero and a dagger, with each drop of blood symbolizing different meanings.
The gang generates money supposedly for less fortunate members, but in reality, the funds mostly benefit the top leadership.
In prison, soups, especially Top Ramen, serve as a primary currency, followed by drugs like weed and tobacco.
Violence and bloodshed are seen as a means to gain respect and elevate status within the gang.
The gang structure includes regimental commanders, squad leaders, and manpower, with a second in command acting as a buffer.
The NF's influence has decreased over the years, shifting from violent crimes to drug trafficking due to the three-strike law.
The NF's conflict with the Mexican Mafia led to a truce in the SHU program at Pelican Bay, aiming to coexist peacefully.
A former NF member faced betrayal and threats after denouncing his membership and cooperating with law enforcement, leading to a reduced sentence.

01:11:37

From Heroin to Hero: Gang Life Transition

The speaker reflects on their mother giving them heroin at 12 due to her addiction, leading to a destructive cycle in their life.
They admit to manipulating their mother to obtain drugs, which spiraled into a life of crime, substance abuse, and gang involvement.
The speaker's criminal activities escalated from car burglaries to armed robberies and home invasions, eventually landing them in the juvenile justice system.
Their book, "Nuestra Familia: A Broken Paradigm," serves as a resource for at-risk youth and is used by probation officers in workshops.
Through their YouTube channel, Paradigm Media News, the speaker shares stories like "Inner Demons" and "War Stories" to deter youngsters from criminal lifestyles.
The speaker warns that a life in crime leads to prison, death, or betrayal, with no positive outcomes.
Transitioning from a Chinatown gang member to an NYPD cop, the speaker describes the elaborate setup of gangs, including hidden guns, safe houses, and snipers.
The speaker details the violent rivalries between Chinatown gangs like the Ghost Shadows, Flying Dragons, White Tigers, and others, driven by a quest for respect.
They delve into their criminal activities, from extortion and street robberies to selling marijuana, counterfeit money, and operating gambling houses.
The speaker recounts the shift in the heroin trade from Italians to Chinese in Chinatown, highlighting the immense wealth circulating in the area and the gang's role in protecting the neighborhood.

01:27:14

Former Gang Member Turned NYPD Officer's Story

Transitioned to NYPD in 1995 after being inspired by Steven McDonald's forgiveness towards his shooter and realizing the need for change in his life.
Left behind his gang affiliations upon taking the oath to join the NYPD, working in Chinatown, which was nerve-racking due to potential encounters with former rivals and gang mates.
Witnessed former gang members turning to home invasions, robberies, and other criminal activities after being released from prison, avoiding heroin trade due to federal monitoring.
Started a YouTube channel called Chinatown Gang Stories in July 2021 to share accurate stories of former gang members, aiming to dispel misinformation from non-Asian sources.
Shared insights from his criminal past as a diamond thief, highlighting the shady nature of the jewelry business with markups between 500% to 800%.
Operated with his father as the mastermind, brother as muscle, and an inside man named Bill who provided information on potential targets.
Targeted mom-and-pop jewelry stores for robberies, avoiding clean establishments and relying on casing jobs to plan the heists.
Emphasized the importance of casing jobs to determine the best time for a robbery, considering factors like traffic, patrol cars, and crowd presence.
Implemented a 90-second rule during robberies, inspired by bank robbers, focusing on subduing victims, breaking into safes, and quickly grabbing valuable items.
Maintained a rule of not hurting anyone during robberies, staging scenarios to point guns only at victims and avoiding security guards by targeting stores without armed protection.

01:40:09

Illegal Jewelry Sales: Risks and Rewards

Selling set stones is preferred over loose stones due to higher value and ease of charging more.
Markup is crucial in making profits, especially with stolen goods sold at a higher price.
Bulk selling of stolen jewelry is challenging due to the risk of being considered an accomplice.
Fencing, or selling stolen goods, is a risky business that can lead to legal consequences.
Jewelry parties are cash-based events where stolen goods are displayed and sold.
Diamonds are often laser-inscribed with serial numbers, but fake paperwork can be used to deceive buyers.
Authenticity of gold can be verified through stamps indicating karat value.
Bleach does not react to other metals in gold, debunking a common myth.
Prison served as a learning ground for criminals to share tactics and avoid getting caught.
Counterfeiting money was a desperate financial solution for the individual, involving meticulous processes and experimentation.

02:11:39

Counterfeiting Operation: From Crime to Redemption

Counterfeiting $100 bills took 5-10 minutes per bill, with occasional printer issues and a strong-smelling lacquer spray.
Ventilation fans were used to disperse the spray while counterfeiting in a rented house.
Counterfeit money was laundered daily, printing $2,000-$5,000 in the morning and breaking the bills at big retail stores.
Bills were sold at 25 cents on the dollar, with strategies to distract cashiers during transactions.
Avoided self-checkout machines due to advanced security features, parking far away to prevent identification.
Detailed knowledge of security features and attention to detail helped avoid detection, with only a few cashiers refusing the bills.
Arrested by the Secret Service after a dealer informed on the counterfeiting operation, leading to a reduced sentence through cooperation.
Counterfeiting led to a significant financial gain, impacting local trust in cash and leading to stores refusing $100 bills in Knoxville.
Imprisonment led to sobriety and a new legal job as a production manager at a printing company.
The individual's criminal past involved leading an organized burglary gang in London, emphasizing dominance without violence and targeting high-value properties.

02:27:32

Burglary Tactics: Drugs, Timing, Security Measures

Valium or other substances can be used to drug animals to facilitate burglary.
Timing for approaching a target varies, emphasizing the importance of surveillance and location.
Burglaries are often conducted at night to avoid detection due to fewer people being present.
Breaking glass can leave DNA evidence, making it a less preferred entry point.
Burglary gangs aim to avoid confronting private security, opting for alternative methods to bypass security measures.
Techniques such as manipulating security codes and disabling alarm systems are utilized to minimize effort during burglaries.
Stolen goods are often sold through various channels like jewelers, antiques markets, and private collectors, with prices significantly reduced in the black market.

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