#7- Exploiting News

  Unless you've pulled a Jarred Leto and been living in isolation in the dessert you've definitely heard about the Coronavirus. This is bad news for most businesses. Movie theaters, many restaurants, and other establishments. However, business has never been better for the Mafia. I know what you're thinking, "this sounds like a bad movie". It does but it's still true. The Mafia in Italy has used the news of the virus to their advantage, people are scared to go out an look for essentials which is allowing them to come in and provide them for low income neighborhoods for a price.

 They have are also more aware of police presence and safe locations for their deeds due to the massive amount of information being televised for the safety of the Italian people. They are fear mongering in a way that benefits them. It is said that much of the stimulus checks that these citizens will receive has been traded away to the Mafia for basic needs. They are also playing with bigger amounts by giving out loans to businesses that are about to go bankrupt. This has put many people on the hook. Once someone owes the Mafia they owe them until they decide they don't anymore. This could lead to massive returns through extortion and interest when the flow of money resumes regular circulation. The Mafia is investing. They buy shares of these companies and that forces them to remain close. They have done this for years but it has become more frequent as more companies get into financial trouble. In New York the Mafia is seeing an opposite trend. Most of their money comes from "illegal sports betting and extorting restaurants". With sports canceled and restaurants not getting as much business (if they are even open) it has put a real damper on the criminal activity they profit from.

  This isn't the only aspect of their organization that is thriving. Surprisingly drug trafficking is much easier during a pandemic, they are less inquisitive at ports and docks when it comes to checking for contraband. Evidently the Mafia accounts for more than 80% of cocaine business in Europe. According to my source (who may or may not be my friend Kameron stationed at an airbase in Italy) "The only people out driving around are the ones doing illegal sh*t.". Well said Kameron. Overall the Mafia has used news stations as an integral part of their business plans while in quarantine. The news that helps some ends up hurting others. 


Original article 1                                                     Original Article 2