Question

Summarize these four types of organized crimes- Political Social Organized Crime, Mercenary Organized Crime, In-Group Oriented, and Syndicate and provide an example of each.

What is the RICO statute? How effective has it been in the war on organized crime?

Answer 1

· Political Social Organised Crime – These are crimes which have a political or social motive behind them. They are undertaken by social militant groups or terrorist organisation. They are political criminals. For example : The attack on twin towers in US by Al-Quaeda.

· Mercenary Organised Crime - These are the crimes done to profit directly. Usually done in groups. The victims of these crimes are usually unwilling. These crimes are undertook by juvenile gangs or adults. It is also known as predatory crime.

· In-Group Oriented Crime – These crimes are done by a group of people who aim at gratifying some psychological. They have a similar thinking pattern and are looking for some gratification like boosting their self-esteem needs or needs for power or enhance reputation. For example – motor cycle gangs like Hells Angels Motorcycle Club which was responsible for violent crimes in US.

· Syndicate Organised Crime – They are well organised crime which undertake violent methods, threats and even ensure supply according to the public demand of illicit goods. They provide promises of immunity for the actions undertaken by the likes of these via forced enforcement or even via corruption. They want to maximise power and profits. For example : Yamaguchi-gumi in Japan which was founder before the 2nd world war is one of the largest crime organisations and has over 55000 members.

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)

RICO , An act passed in 1970 under federal law in the USA aims to combat organised crime and white collar crime . Under the act, activities like racketeering done as part of a criminal enterprise can be persecuted or penalised. The activities included under this act are : illegal gambling, kidnapping, bribery, murder, drug trafficking, money laundering, slavery and other unsavoury practices related to business.

Since its enactment, it has helped prosecuting several individuals and groups in the US. The statute has been used increasingly. It has helped to combat organised crime and target the leaders of such crimes who were not directly part of the crime but were perpetrators of the crime. These people earlier got away with the crime but not can be held accountable.