The Founding Fathers Of Gangs Around The World

1. Crips (United States)

Image Source: Reddit

According to various sources, Raymond Washington and Stanley Williams founded the Crips in 1971. They were both high schoolers in Los Angeles, and some say they formed the group as a form of protection from gang violence. Others say that the Crips were originally a political group that eventually transformed into a street gang.

2. Sicilian Mafia, aka Cosa Nostra (Italy)

Image Source: Reddit

“Joe the Boss” Masseria was a powerful gang figure in the early years of the Sicilian Mafia in the United States. He was the leading crime boss in New York City throughout the 1920s. His murder occurred in 1931 after he declared war on Salvatore Maranzano, a mobster from Sicily.

3. Yakuza (Japan)

Image Source: Reddit

This Japanese mafia organization has a long and complex history. There’s a very specific hierarchy to the group, with bosses, advisors, and regular members that follow a strict code of conduct. The Yakuza is still prominent in Japan today and is involved in dr*g trafficking, money laundering, and more.

4. Medellín Cartel (Colombia)

Image Source: Reddit

Pablo Escobar, a Colombian dr*g lord, formed the Medellin Cartel and was the wealthiest criminal in history. His dr*g cartel monopolized c*caine entry into the United States during the 1980s. By the time he was killed by Colombian Special Forces, he was worth $30 billion.

5. Sinaloa Cartel (Mexico)

Image Source: Reddit

Joaquín Guzmán, or “El Chapo”, is a former Mexican dr*g lord and former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. In fact, he’s known as one of the most powerful dr*g traffickers in the world. According to the DEA, his power and influence is on par with Pablo Escobar.

6. Russian Mafia, aka Bratva (Russia)

Image Source: Reddit

Vyacheslav Ivankov, also known as “Yaponchik” (Little Japanese), is known as the leading crime boss of Russia. He grew up in Moscow but moved his criminal activity to the United States from 1992 until 1995, when he was arrested by the FBI for extortion.

7. Shower Posse (Jamaica)

Image Source: Boomshots

This Jamaican gang, started by Lester Lloyd Coke, mainly revolves around arms and dr*g smuggling in Tivoli Gardens. There are operations in Canada and North America, too. In fact, Vivian Blake, or “Yardie”, began the North American branch in New York City.

8. Black Axe (Nigeria)

Image Source: Strange Shots

This organized crime group in Nigeria was responsible for the Obafemi Awolowo University massacre in 1999. During the 2010s, they became one of the most dangerous organized crime groups on the planet. They’re involved with fraud, robbery, and extensive violence.

9. Primeiro Comando da Capital (Brazil)

Image Source: Blog A Fonte

According to the Brazilian government, Primeiro Comando da Capital is the largest Brazilian crime organization. The group is based in São Paulo and is active in several countries, including the United States. José Márcio Felício, aka “Geleião” was one of the founding members.

10. The Overcoat Gang (Australia)

Image Source: The Guardian

The Overcoat Gang was created in 1975, and their name came from the fact that they wore long coats to conceal their weapons. Many of the original members died violent deaths. However, there are some survivors that are still alive, including Mark Brandon “Chopper” Read.

11. Triads (China)

Image Source: Reddit

In China, Triads are organized crime groups that have been around for ages and have outposts in various countries. The Triads have different branches, and “Red Poles” are leaders with powerful influence. Triads are involved with a variety of crime, including extortion, fraud, trafficking, and money laundering.

12. D-Company (India)

Image Source: Reddit

In Mumbai, D-Company is an underground organized crime group led by Dawood Ibrahim. This group is involved with extortion, dr*g trafficking, kidnapping, and terrorism. In fact, in 2011, D-Company was #3 on the FBI’s “World’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives” list.

13. Numbers Gangs (South Africa)

Image Source: Reddit

The Numbers Gang is a crime organization that began as a prison gang in South Africa. They’re assumed to be present in most South African prisons. The 27s import tobacco, dr*gs, and currency, the 27s uphold the law, and the 28s fight on behalf of all of the gangs.

14. Gangster Disciples (United States)

Image Source: Reddit

This prison gang was formed in 1969 by Larry Hoover and David Barksdale. These two men were originally rivals but banded together to form the Black Ganger Disciple Nation. Eventually, conflict between the two caused the group to split into the Gangster Disciples and the Black Disciples. The Gangster Disciples are active in over 31 states in the United States.

15. Irish Mob (Ireland)

Image Source: Reddit

This organized crime group operates in Ireland, the United States, The United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It was formed in the early 19th century, and much of their activity in the United States took place in Boston. James “Whitey” Bulger is one of the most notorious Irish mob bosses.

16. Bosozoku (Japan)

Image Source: Reddit

Bosozoku is a Japanese subculture linked with customized motorcycles. These biker gangs first appeared in the 1950s. Members are typically young, from 16-years-old to 20-years-old and imitate the United States greaser subculture. Their modified motorcycles are loud, flashy, and usually adorned with stickers/flags.

17. Hell’s Angels (United States)

Image Source: Reddit

Ralph “Sonny” Barger, the founding member of Hell’s Angels Motorcycle Club, formed the Oakland, California chapter in 1957. The group was known for their clashes with law enforcement and various criminal activity, including possession of narcotics and conspiracy to transport explosives.

18. Mongrels (South Africa)

Image Source: Reddit

One of the oldest gangs in South Africa, the Mongrels are known for their involvement with dr*g trafficking, extortion, and violence. They’re also responsible for a large percentage of Cape Town’s gang-related homicides. Colin “the Mongrel” Govender is an infamous character associated with the Mongrels.

19. ’Ndrangheta (Italy)

Image Source: Asia Times

This organized crime group based in Calabria, Italy, is considered the most powerful in the world. Their main activity is dr*g trafficking, but they're also involved with arms trafficking, money laundering, extortion, and prostitution. Antonio Nirta was an influential figure in this group.

20. Los Zetas (Mexico)

Image Source: Reddit

This Mexican crime group, founded by Heriberto Lazcano, is known for their horrific and torturous acts, such as beheadings, torture, and murder. They’re brutally violent and also participate in human trafficking, dr*g trafficking, extortion, sexual violence, and more.

21. Boko Haram (Nigeria)

Image Source: Human Rights Watch

During the 2010s, Boko Haram was known as the world’s most dangerous and deadly terrorist group. Founded by Mohammed Yusuf in 2002, the extremist Islamist group is known for its brutal acts of terrorism and insurgency. This group has killed tens of thousands of people.

22. Big Circle Gang (China)

Image Source: NPR

In the 1970s, this Chinese Triad was founded in Hong Kong by former members of the “Red Guards”. This group is involved with dr*g trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, money laundering, murder, and more. Wei Xinguo was a prominent character associated with the Big Circle Gang.

23. Solntsevskaya Bratva (Russia)

Image Source: ICIJ

Sergei Mikhailov, a former prisoner who had committed fraud, founded the Solntsevskaya gang. This crime group is involved in corruption, money laundering, kidnapping, fraud, robbery, arson, arms trafficking, and extortion. After the Soviet Union collapsed, the gang developed close relationships with Russian politicians.

24. Mexican Mafia, aka La Eme (United Staes)

Image Source: The Rap Dictionary

The Mexican mafia did not actually originate in Mexico. It’s an entirely U.S.-based criminal prison organization. Within the California prison system, it’s the most deadly gang. Luis “Huero Buff” Flores was an influential member of this organization.

25. Brothers 4 Life (Australia)

Image Source: Reddit

This Middle Eastern gang was a crime gang in Sydney, Australia. They were known for their dr*g trafficking, shootings, and organized crime. Their leader, Bassam Hamzy, was imprisoned in 1999 for murder and dr*g importation charges. He was later arrested in 2019 for running a dr*g ring behind bars.

26. Amigos dos Amigos, aka ADA (Brazil)

Image Source: Vox

This criminal organization operates in Rio de Janeiro. They’re known for dr*g trafficking, extortion, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, and more. Marcio Santos Nepomuceno, also known as “Marcinho VP”, was the former leader of the group before his arrest.

27. Bandidos (Australia)

Image Source: ABC

The Bandidos Motorcycle Club is one of the “big four” motorcycle gangs, alongside Hell’s Angels, and is regarded by the FBI as a criminal organization. They formed in 1966 in Texas and are believed to have up to 2,500 members worldwide. The group was originally founded by Donald Eugene Chambers.

28. Yangeun Clan (Korea)

Image Source: Quora

The Yangeun Clan of the Korean Mafia was formed in the 19th century. The group has over 30,000 members and has been involved with sex trafficking, dr*g smuggling, extortion, murder, and more. The group’s history dates back to the end of the Joseon Dynasty.

29. Cali Cartel (Colombia)

Image Source: Reddit

This dr*g cartel was led by brothers Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela and Miguel Rodríguez Orejuela. At the height of the group’s reign, they were in control of over 80% of the world’s c*caine market, which is crazy! Their nickname was "Los Caballeros de Cali”, or “Gentlemen of Cali”.

30. Vikings Confraternity (Nigeria)

Image Source: Audiomack

This cult group was founded in 1984 at the University of Port Harcourt. Members have been involved with several acts of political and criminal violence. Don Wanny, whose real name is Igwedibia Johnson, was a huge figure aligned with the Vikings Confraternity.

31. And now: the most dangerous hitmen of all time... Chester Wheeler Campbell

image source: nationalcrimesyndicate.com

Chester Wheeler Campbell was an extremely dangerous hitman working for the Italian Mafia, as well as drug lords in Detroit. He was active in the 1970s and 1980s, and he liked to keep a lot of notes about his work - including surveillance on cops, or murders that he'd committed.

32. Harry Aleman

image source: 

nationalcrimesyndicate.com

Also known as Harry "The Hook" Aleman, this dangerous hitman got this colorful nickname from his background in boxing when he was a younger man. He was responsible for at least 13 murders, which he liked to do with a gun - with or without a silencer - and it didn't really matter whether it was public or not...

33. Wayne Perry

image source: 

nationalcrimesyndicate.com

Wayne Perry, nicknamed "Silk", was the chosen hitman by a drug lord operating out of Washington D.C. back in the 1980s. The drug lord would hire Perry whenever he needed a hit carried out, and Perry is known to have been responsible for at least 5 murders at the drug lord's whim.

34. Jorge Ayala

image source: 

nationalcrimesyndicate.com

Jorge Ayala was a hired assassin who was operating during the height of the Miami drug/coke wars - so you can imagine the kind of mess he got into. He was behind at least 35 kills, all of which related to drugs or drug war. He was eventually convicted for his crimes.

35. Joseph Meldish

image source: 

nationalcrimesyndicate.com

This man was a dangerous contract killer hired by the mob, with a track record spanning over 20 years of murder. He was only 18 and just finishing university when he killed his first victim, and he was even employed by more than one mob crime family to carry out executions.

36. Harry Strauss

image source: 

nationalcrimesyndicate.com

Also known as "Pittsburgh Phil", this man's weapon of choice was an ice-pick. During the 1930s, there was an infamous organized crime group called Murder, Inc - and it's believed Pittsburgh Phil and his ice pick was a huge part of that. When he was arrested, he tried to plead insanity - but it didn't work!

37. Irving Cohen

image source: 

nationalcrimesyndicate.com

Nicknamed Big Gangi, this man - or piece of pure evil - actually ended up murdering one of his closest friends, just because he was asked to. In the 1930s, the friend of Big Gangi had a hit placed on him by a crime boss. Gangi was asked to do it because he wouldn't be suspected, being the guy's friend and all... and he did, using an ice pick.

38. Jose Manuel Martinez

image source: 

nationalcrimesyndicate.com

This hired killer claimed he was responsible for around 40 murders after he was captured, but he was only officially sentenced to 9. Some of the people he claimed to have killed included members of Mexican drug cartels. Apparently he got away with a lot of his crimes because of being older in appearance, so less suspicious.

39. Harry Maione

image source: 

nationalcrimesyndicate.com

Harry "Hippy" Maione had criminal links to the Italian mafia, and it was believed that he was a contract killer hired by them to carry out certain... jobs. It was believed that he started his murderous career back in 1931, before authorities eventually caught him - and charged him with at least 12 murders.

40. Benjamin Siegel

image source: 

nationalcrimesyndicate.com

Also known as Bugsy Siegel, which is a name many might recognise with ties to the mob, this man was dangerous enough himself to have very murderous friends who could carry out killings for him. But that wasn't enough for Siegel - he was an accomplished hitman himself, and he helped other hitmen to carry out jobs.

41. Abe Reles

image source: cavemancircus.com

Also known as "Kid Twist", this was another dangerous hitman associated with that crime organization, 'Murder Inc.'. He was also very similar to many other hitmen in this era that chose an ice pick as their murder weapon. His reputation had him as very unstable, that he might even murder innocent people on a whim if they annoyed him.

42. Salvatore Gravano

image source: cavemancircus.com

Also known as "Sammy Bull" in the criminal world, this hitman was actually a murder turned mob rat - meaning he ended up being wanted by both authorities and the mob themselves. Before informing on the people he'd previously worked with, he'd quickly risen up the criminal ranks.

43. Sam Destefano

image source: allthatsinteresting.com

This man's nickname might have been enough of a warning to stay away: "Mad Sam". This criminal was one of the more dangerous and feared members of the Chicago Outfit, a criminal organization. In his spare time, he was also a loan shark who enjoyed purposefully lending money to people who couldn't pay it back - and then killing them for it.

44. Frank Abbandando

image source: cavemancircus.com

Nicknamed "The Dasher", this hitman from New York was thought to be responsible for at least 30 murders during his long criminal career. He was known for using both an ice pick (a common choice) and a meat cleaver, but on top of that, he was believed to be a rapist.

45. Thomas Pitera

image source: cavemancircus.com

Because they wouldn't be hitmen without a nickname, this man's was "Tommy Karate", and you can imagine why. He was particularly well known for his violence and skills with martial arts. He was the chosen hitman for a crime family back in the 1980s, and it's claimed he killed - and enjoyed killing - at least 60 people.

46. Joseph Barboza

image source: cavemancircus.com

Another dangerous hitman with a nickname alone to ward you off: "The Animal". Joseph Barboza operated as a hitman for the New England Mafia, which is bad enough - but the reason he got such a violent nickname is because he got into an altercation with a man and ended up biting his ear and trying to chew on his cheek.

47. Roy DeMeo

image source: cavemancircus.com

The DeMeo crew was a dangerous gang of organized killers - and this man, their namesake, was their leader. The crew together were responsible for at least 200 murders, and they favored 'The Gemini Method': the victim would be shot, then stabbed in the heart to reduce blood flow from the gunshot wound, before being hung upside down to be drained and then dismembered...

48. Giovanni Brusca

image source: cavemancircus.com

This killer's nickname was "The Pig", and he was a member of the Sicilian Mafia, and he claimed to be responsible for around 200 murders. To make it worse, this man was so evil that he kidnapped an 11 year old boy, tortured him for 2 years before killing him and dissolving the body in acid. We don't think "pig" covers it.

49. Richard Kuklinski

image source: cavemancircus.com

We've had many hitmen on this list using an ice pick as a weapon, but this man was actually nicknamed "The Iceman". He is one of the deadliest hitmen in the world, starting when he was only 13 and claiming to have been responsible for the deaths of around 250 people. Rather than his nickname coming from his weapon, it was due to his habit of freezing his victims' bodies to try to hide their time of death from police.

50. Julio Santana

image source: dailymail.com

Santana has claimed to have killed at least 492 people, because - according to him - 492 was where he stopped counting. He was actually a hired hitman for the Brazilian government, where he would be required to kill mainly communist militants who the government believed were their enemy.