20. James Burke
James Burke, also known as "Gentleman Jimmy," was a prominent figure in the Lukees crime family and was notorious for his involvement in the Lufthansa robbery at JFK Airport in 1978.
Burke was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for assault and obstruction of justice. Burke's cunning and ruthlessness earned him the respect and fear of the mafia world. Still, he was eventually brought down for his arrogance and numerous criminal charges, which led him to prison until his death in 1996.
19. Joseph Bonanno
Joseph Bonanno is also among the 20 most dangerous crime bosses in the world. He was sentenced to five years in prison. He was an important figure in American organized crime in the mid-20th century. As the boss of the Bonnano crime family, one of New York City's notorious five families, Bonnano has considerable influence in the mafia community.
He was involved in a variety of criminal activities, including extortion and illegal gambling, and was instrumental in establishing the commission that governed the activities of the American Mafia. Despite legal troubles and family conflicts, Bonanno remained in power for more than 30 years and left behind a complicated legacy after his death in 2002.
18. Pablo Escobar
The notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, who dominated the global cocaine trade, amassed enormous wealth and power as the head of the Medellín drug cartel.
He was sentenced to five years in prison. His cocaine trade is known to be worth $25 million. His brutal tactics and strategic alliances made him one of the richest and most feared criminals in history.
17. Tony Accardo
Tony Accardo, nicknamed "Joe Batters," is a prominent figure in Chicago's criminal gang, known for his leadership skills and ruthlessness.
He was sentenced to six years in prison. Although Accardo was not directly involved in many murders, he had considerable influence over the group, often orchestrating attacks through his subordinates.
During his tenure, numerous competitors and witnesses were eliminated, cementing the group's grip on Chicago's criminal underworld. Accardo's strategic approach to violence and his ability to avoid direct involvement in murder earned him a terrible reputation in organized crime circles.
16. Michael Franzes
Michael Franzese is the former head of the Colombo crime family and is notorious for his involvement in organized crime in the 80s of the 20th century. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Franzes is engaged in racketeering, extortion, and money laundering. After escaping his criminal past, he began to give motivational speeches and write, sharing his insights and advocating for the fight against crime.
Franzes' transformation from gangster to orator captivated a global audience, telling a compelling story about redemption and a second chance.
15. Vincent Chin Gigant
Vincent · Vincent "Chin" Gigante, known for his eccentric behavior and cunning tactics. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Gigant is a well-known gangster member of the Genoves crime family. He gained notoriety for his long disguise of mental illness to evade law enforcement scrutiny and earned him the nickname "The Godfather."
Despite his mental instability on the outside, Gigante is influential in the underworld. He orchestrated a variety of criminal activities, including racketeering, racketeering, and murder. Gigante's ability to bypass law enforcement over the years has made him a legend in the history of organized crime.
14. Uzar Baluchistan
Uzair Baloch is a notorious Pakistani gangster who came to power as the leader of the Lyari gang in Karachi, Pakistan. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Baloch was involved in a variety of criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, and targeted killings. He was eventually arrested and convicted on multiple counts, including murder and espionage, and was executed for the crime in 2020.
13. John Dillinger
John Dillinger was a notorious bank robber during the Great Depression, notorious for his daring robberies and evading law enforcement.
He was sentenced to two prison terms, 2-14 years and 10-20 years. His deeds captured the public's imagination, earned him the title of "Public Enemy Number One," and made him a symbol of rebellion during a tumultuous time in American history.
12. Vito Genoves
Genoves is a ruthless, ambitious gangster who takes power as the boss of Genoves' crime family, making himself a formidable force in organized crime.
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. His deliberate leadership and willingness to eliminate competitors cemented his position at the top of the mafia. Even in prison, he had a lot of influence, while his family was still involved in gambling and extortion.
11. Griselda Blanco
Griselda Blanco, known as the "Black Widow" or "Queen of Cocaine", was a notorious Colombian drug lord who played a major role in the Medellín drug cartels of the 70s and 80s of the 20th century. She was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
She is one of the richest smugglers in the world, earning $80 million a month. Blanco, notorious for her brutal tactics and involvement in drug trafficking, ordered many killings to protect her empire. She was eventually arrested and sentenced to prison and spent time in prison until her death in 2012. In addition to being one of the most dangerous crime bosses in the world, Blanco's career has also inspired a Netflix TV series called Griselda, in which Blanco is portrayed by Sophia Vergara.
10. Salvador Gravano
Sammy the Bull or Salvatore Gravano are currently in the top ten of the world's most dangerous crime heads. Gravano is a high-ranking member of the Gambino crime family and is known for his second-in-command role and cooperation with law enforcement. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Gravano was involved in many criminal activities during his time in the mafia, including racketeering, extortion, and murder.
However, he gained notoriety when he became a government informant in 1991, providing crucial testimony that led to the conviction of several high-ranking gangsters, including his boss, John Gotti. Gravano's testimony dealt a major blow to organized crime in the United States and led to him receiving a reduced sentence for the crime.
9. Charles Luciano
Charles "lucky" Luciano, a visionary gangster who revolutionized the structure of the American mafia, organizing it into a more efficient and profitable enterprise. He was sentenced to 30 to 50 years in prison. His leadership and strategic abilities laid the foundation for the modern mafia and earned him a place in the history of organized crime.
8. Bagsby Siegel
Benjamin · Bagshe Siegel was a notorious gangster of the 20th century who gained notoriety for his involvement in organized crime. Siegel was a key figure in developing Las Vegas as a gambling and entertainment hub. He was sentenced to life in prison, but only served a few years. He was instrumental in the creation of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, one of the first large-scale luxury resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.
It is understood that the production cost of these products is as high as 6 million US dollars. Despite Siegel's entrepreneurial ventures, his violent tendencies and eccentric behavior led to conflict within the underworld. He is suspected of involvement in multiple murders, including those of rival gang members and business partners. On June 20, 1947, Siegel was shot dead in Beverly Hills, California, in what many believed to be an attack ordered by a mob.
7. Daoud Ibrahim
Dawood Ibrahim is an Indian gangster and terrorist who is notorious for his involvement in organized crime, including drug trafficking and terrorism. He was sentenced to life in prison after being charged with more than 300 murders. His criminal empire crosses international borders, making him one of the most wanted criminals in the world and a symbol of organized crime's global reach. Ibrahim's net worth in 2015 was estimated at $6.7 billion
6. John Gotti
John Gotti was one of the most dangerous crime bosses in the world, active in American organized crime in the 80s and 90s of the 20th century. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. Originally from Brooklyn, he became the leader of the Gambino crime family.
He was known as the "Teflon Boss" because he often avoided being convicted. His years in power involved violence, including the disappearance of his neighbor John Favarra. Despite his efforts to evade justice, the FBI eventually persuaded his closest associates to testify against him.
5. Ronald Clay
Ronald Clay is one of the most notorious mafias of all time. Ronald Kray and his twin brother Reggie were notorious figures in the London underworld of the 50s and 60s of the 20th century. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
The Clay family is known for their involvement in organized crime, including protection money, armed robbery, and violence. However, it was their involvement in a series of brutal murders that deepened their notoriety.
One of the most notorious murders related to Ronald Clay was the murder of rival gang member George Cornell in a bar in 1966. Another notorious murder was Jack Brown. Jack "The Hat" McVitie, who was stabbed to death in 1967 and whose reign of terror ended when the Clay family was arrested in 1968.
4. Whitety Barger
Whitey Bulger was the leader of the Winter Hill Gang in Boston, Massachusetts, who orchestrated a variety of criminal activities, including racketeering, racketeering, and murder. He was sentenced to two life sentences. His reign of terror and elusive nature made him a notorious figure in the underworld and a top priority for law enforcement agencies.
3. Matteo Messina Denaro
Matteo Messina Denaro was third. In 2020, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for torturing and murdering the enemy's 11-year-old son. He is one of Italy's most famous murderers, having carried out bombings and murders. He is the leader of the Sicilian mafia.
2. Al Capone
In second place is Al Capone, also known as Public Enemy No. 1. Al Capone was a notorious gangster who came to power in Chicago during the Prohibition era. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison and fined $50,000 and $7,692 in court costs, as well as $215,000 plus interest on tax arrears.
He gained power through violence, ambition, and smuggling illegal alcohol. During Prohibition, Al Capone's smuggling activities were estimated to generate up to $100 million a year, equivalent to billions of dollars today.
Al Capone's time as a crime boss was marked by violence and fear. His organization is credited with committing hundreds of murders, including the famous 1929 Valentine's Day massacre. Surprisingly, Capone was arrested not for violence but for non-payment of taxes. In 1931, he was sentenced to eleven years in prison, to which he was released eight years later. His health deteriorated and he died in 1947.
1. Joaquin Guzmán
Joaquín · Led by "Shorty" Guzmán, a notorious Mexican drug lord who gained notoriety for being the leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel, one of the most powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world. Guzmán is still considered one of the most powerful crime bosses and currently lives in a prison in California. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Known for their cunning evasion of authorities and brutal tactics, the "Elvey" became a symbol of Mexico's drug war. Despite multiple arrests, he escaped from prison twice before he was finally arrested in 2016. In 2019, he was convicted in the United States for drug trafficking, money laundering, and other crimes.