Italian-American Mafia

The Italian-American Mafia, also known as La Cosa Nostra, is a criminal organization originating from Italian-American communities in the U.S. They operate through structured hierarchical groups involved in illegal activities such as extortion, gambling, loan sharking, and racketeering. With a code of secrecy and loyalty, they influence various legitimate and illicit enterprises. While often portrayed in media as violent crime syndicates, they also maintain social and business networks, wielding significant underground power and impacting local communities and law enforcement efforts.