The New Italian Investment Bankers - Who Needs Lawyers

Most people know the Mafia lends money to those who can't borrow anywhere else. I mean  anywhere else, even  their own mother-in-law who is still waiting for that two year loan to be paid back. < This is  the original sub prime lending. >

It's called loan sharking in America. The interest rate charged on these loans is called the "vig", and can range anywhere from 100-200% per annum compounded. No one that borrows at these rates will ever be able to pay back the loan, and of course the mobs know this.

Basically, they completely bankrupt the debtor, if they haven't already killed or crippled  him for default. Then after they completely strip this lucky person of any money he has or can get, the mafia takes a look at what his earning potential may be. Like a wife who can be "persuaded" into prostitution. Or if he's a businessman, how they can use his operation for fraud or as a front to launder money.

Hey, it's only business paisan.

Well, of course, you can imagine that with all these scandals of the ridiculous sums investment bankers make, that some mafia clan would be interested in getting into this business. The business of investment banking.

And according to Italian authorities, one has

It is the Ndrangheta of Calabria. In Italian the word Ndrangheta stands for heroism and virtue. And you can be sure these boys have made a virtue out of making money.

Their latest venture is to become investment bankers. But not to any ordinary businesses. Their clientele for the moment is other organized crime groups. Supposedly they have been helping the Colombian drug cartels make "investments" overseas. But for a fee, of course.

It's done on a handshake and nod of the head. No lawyers are needed to draw up any legal documents. After all, when the security is someone else's body, who needs their signature.

So far no disputes or disagreements have occurred over these "financing" and "investment" activities. But you can be sure if one does, it's going to be more exciting than any court room drama.

Guido partly learned this from reading an article in The Guardian recently, a newspaper in Britain. Besides the Ndrangheta, it also discusses other organized crime activities occurring in Italy based on a recent Italian government report. The link is below -

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/01/mafia-influence-hovers-over-italians

For more information on the systema  < what the Cammera mob families are called in Naples >, we would suggest you read Gomorrah by Roberto Saviano. It  gives a first person analysis of the criminal clans in Naples. The Cammora, as they are commonly called on the Italian peninsula, are actually way more powerful and ominous then the Sicilian mafia. And also much more influential world wide. Guido has heard that Ndrangheta, in particular, has no compunction in doing anything that can turn a lira. Even dealing in Nuclear waste, or so it has been rumored.

For his efforts in writing Gammorah, Signor  Savaino has lived in hiding, moving every day to a new and different place to sleep. The Italian authorities have provided him with at least ten Carabinieri body guards, fully armed with submachine guns and shotguns. Even so, Signor Savaino has decided to leave Italy for a more tranquil residence.

Good luck on that ever happening amica.

Now you know why Guido prefers to remain anonymous. < But hey it's only business And besides you systema people, none of these stories originated with me. Blame it on The Guardian >

"Discretion is the better part of valor." - Shakespeare.

"Money is welcome even if it comes in a dirty sack." - An old South Italian proverb