Organized Crime Vocabulary

noun a member of a gang of criminals

adjective relating to or characteristic of a gangster

• The gangster was arrested for multiple counts of racketeering.
• That gangster is always causing trouble in the neighborhood.
• The gangster was flexing his new ride down the block.
• She's a gangster when it comes to negotiating business deals.

noun a person who collects or distributes illicitly gained money, especially for a criminal organization

• The bagman was arrested for his involvement in the money laundering scheme.
• Hey, have you seen the bagman around lately?
• The bagman always knows how to make a quick buck.
• In the world of politics, the bagman plays a crucial role in securing funds for campaigns.

noun a member of a Japanese crime syndicate, similar to the Mafia

adjective relating to the Japanese crime syndicate known as the Yakuza

• The yakuza is a well-organized and powerful criminal syndicate in Japan.
• I heard that the yakuza are involved in a lot of illegal activities.
• Don't mess with the yakuza, they are dangerous.
• The company's CEO was described as the yakuza of the business world, always making shady deals behind closed doors.

noun A hired assassin, especially in Latin America

• The authorities apprehended a suspected sicario in connection to the recent drug cartel violence.
• I heard that the sicario was caught by the cops last night.
• That sicario is one dangerous dude, man.
• The ruthless businessman was like a sicario, eliminating his competition without hesitation.

noun a book with a black cover or binding

• He kept all his confidential information in a black book.
• I wrote down her number in my little black book.
• I heard he's got all the shady deals listed in his black book.
• Her past mistakes were like entries in a black book, always haunting her.