Organized crime is a category of
transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by
criminals who intend to engage in illegal activity, most commonly for
money and
profit. Some criminal organizations, such as
terrorist groups, are politically motivated. Sometimes criminal organizations force people to do business with them, such as when a gang extorts money from shopkeepers for so-called "
protection".
Gangs may become disciplined enough to be considered
organized. A
criminal organization or gang can also be referred to as a
mafia,
mob, or
crime syndicate; the network, subculture and community of criminals may be referred to as the
underworld.