Italian Organized Crime

Organized crime is often seen as a relic of Italy’s past, but its financial power continues

to shape markets and institutions. In Italy, the revenues generated by criminal

organizations rival those of leading corporations, flowing through money-laundering

schemes, and infiltrating legal businesses in many ways. At BSFFS, our mission is to

expose how illicit capital flows operate and to explore the tools that can help in

detecting and stopping them. We aim to shed light on the dark and hidden side of

finance and in particular raise awareness on the far-reaching impact of financial crime

on our societies, economies, and lives in general.

Within this mission, the Italian Organized Crime Division holds a central role. Italian

criminal organizations, such as Cosa Nostra, ’Ndrangheta, and Camorra, are

unfortunately among the most well-known and deeply rooted in the world. To better

illustrate their presence and evolution, our division is developing a regional approach:

we are creating a map of Italy, that will allow users to explore each region and access

dedicated articles outlining the specific characteristics of local criminal networks. By

doing so, we aim to provide a clear, accessible platform that highlights the nuances of

organized crime across the country, offering educational value and a deeper

understanding to our readers.

Beyond exposing the financial networks of organized crime, our division will also

provide a closer look at how money laundering works. Each year, billions of euros

circulate through complex schemes, from shell companies to offshore accounts, and

much of this illicit capital remains hidden in plain sight. Understanding these

mechanisms is crucial to recognizing the scale of the problem, that is often

downplayed.

Another key area of focus will be the confiscation of mafia-owned assets. This way

Italian authorities strike at the economic heart of organized crime. Every year, villas,

companies, farmland, and entire businesses are seized from criminal organizations.

Obviously, it’s not an easy process, but when it is successful, it has a second purpose,

beyond the confiscation itself. In fact, these assets are later reassigned for the public

good, transformed into schools, community centers, agricultural cooperatives, or

businesses run under new legal management, becoming engines of employment and

sustainable business.

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