racketeer
Organized crime operator
A racketeer is someone who makes money through illegal or fraudulent schemes, especially organized crime operations like extortion, loan sharking, or protection rackets.
The term evokes 1920s and 30s gangsters but remains current in legal contexts: He was convicted under federal racketeering laws.
To racketeer is to engage in such activities.
Obtaining through threats
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- money launderingDisguising criminal proceeds' origins
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
smuggling · bootlegging · counterfeiting · loan sharking · kickbacks · conspiracy · bookmaking · fencing
Criminal organization member
- kingpinCriminal organization's leader
- bossWorkplace superior
- godfatherMale baptismal guardian
- donPut on attire
capo · underboss · consigliere · enforcer · hitman · soldier · associate · made man
Criminal organization using intimidation
- syndicateCombined group pursuing shared interest
- cartelPrice-fixing coalition
- gangOrganized criminal group
- outfitSet of clothes worn together
crime family · mob · ring · crew · organization · network · operation · enterprise
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- violenceHarmful physical force
- muscleContractile body tissue
fear · squeeze · payoff · bribery · corruption · hush money · strong-arming · protection money
extortion
Obtaining through threats
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- money launderingDisguising criminal proceeds' origins
bribery · smuggling · bootlegging · counterfeiting · loan sharking · kickbacks · conspiracy · bookmaking · fencing · hijacking
gangster
Criminal organization member
don · capo · underboss · consigliere · enforcer · hitman · soldier · associate · made man · wiseguy
mafia
Criminal organization using intimidation
- syndicateCombined group pursuing shared interest
- cartelPrice-fixing coalition
- gangOrganized criminal group
outfit · crime family · mob · ring · crew · organization · network · operation · enterprise · front
intimidation
Deliberate fear-inducing pressure
- threatsDeclarations of intended harm
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- violenceHarmful physical force
muscle · fear · squeeze · payoff · bribery · corruption · hush money · strong-arming · protection money · tribute
- Crookscrook, swindler, embezzler, con artist, con man
- lawbreakersthief, robber, burglar, vandal, smuggler
- Outlawsoutlaw, bandit, desperado, highwayman, robber
- roguesrogue, rogues, scoundrel, scoundrels, rascal
- rule breakersrulebreaker, transgressor, violator, offender, lawbreaker
- criminalsmurderer, thief, burglar, criminal, killer
racketeerhero
One admired for courage
saint · philanthropist · Good Samaritan · benefactor · humanitarian
racketeerlawman
Enforcement officer
prosecutor · police officer · district attorney · FBI agent · crime fighter