Crime surely pays, even if for a time, and the payoffs are not insignificant. There are people of ample wealth in this world who have acquired it through underworld dealings in often shady trades. Now, certain members of this criminal community could buy a personal army with the riches they have amassed through their nefarious means.
Names of particular criminals are likely floating through your mind already. Will they appear on our list of the 19 richest criminals in the world? We compiled a list based on research through Forbes, Celebrity Net Worth, and The Richest to compile the following list. Ready? Let’s get started.
TOP 19 Richest Criminals In The entire World
1. Charles Manson (Net Worth: $400,000)
Some knew Charles Manson as a singer-songwriter, others as a cult leader. But most people would not argue that the leader of what would become known as the Manson Family in California, was a hardcore criminal. Manson’s followers unleashed a string of nine murders across four different locations in the summer of 1969. In the meantime, Manson amassed a net worth, which, as of 2021, is estimated to be $400,000.
2. Nicky Barnes (Net Worth: $500,000)
New York City played host to quite a few crime bosses and in the 1970s, Nicky Barnes was among the most prominent. In fact, in just two years, Barned organized a 7-man African American organized crime syndicate known as The Council, seizing control of a large part of Harlem’s heroin trade. As of 2021, Barnes’s net worth was estimated to be $500,000.
3. Lee D’Avanzo (Net Worth: $500,000)
The cleft chinned, meaty tough guy, Lee D’Avanzo was the son of a loan shark and car thief. His father attempted to outrun the FBI in 1977 and was killed in the process. D’Avanzo himself didn’t fall far from the tree, though would go on to notoriety through his wife, Drita D’Avanzo from the hit TV series “Mob Wives.” As the 18th richest criminal in the world, D’Avanzo’s net worth was approximately $500,000 in 2021.
4. George Norman (Net Worth: $500,000)
After being discovered abusing a five-year-old girl in her home in Basildon, the American criminal George Norman was caught and arrested. The pensioner was formerly incarcerated in 2005 for inappropriate touching of children, though he had deceived his family by telling them that his prior conviction was drug-related. In 2021 George Norman’s net worth is estimated to be about $500,000.
5. Michael Franzese (Net Worth: $1 Million)
As the New York mobster and a caporegime of the Colombo crime family, Michael Franzese was part of a criminal enterprise in the 1980s when they were involved in gasoline tax racketeering efforts. Ultimately abandoning his criminal life, Franzese turned to God, becoming a devoted Christian who runs a foundation aimed at helping the community’s youth. As of 2021, Franzese’s estimated worth was approximately one million dollars.
6. Hector “Junior” Pagan (Net Worth: $1 Million)
Hector Pagan used to be a Bonnano Crime Family associate, who would later turn to be an informant to the feds. Pagan is notably distinguished for being the ex-husband of ‘Mob Wives’ star and daughter of the notorious Bonnano Anthony Graziano, Renee Graziano. Hector Pagan’s net worth is an estimated one million dollars.
7. Freeway Rick Ross (Net Worth: $1 Million)
After establishing a California drug empire in the 1980s, the American drug trafficker Freeway Rick Ross was incarcerated for a life sentence in prison His sentence was ultimately shortened, leading to his release in 2009. In other walks of life, Ross was also an author. As the 14th richest criminal in the world, Ross’s net worth is approximately one million dollars.
8. Sammy Gravano (Net Worth: $2 Million)
While Sammy Gravano is a former Gambino crime family underboss, he is mostly known for helping take down John Gotti when he agreed to testify against his former boss, as well as other related mobsters. The deal involved Gravano confessing to being involved in 19 homicides. Yet, in 2021, Gravano was still worth two million dollars.
9. John Gotti Jr. (Net Worth: $10 Million)
“Junior,” as he was generally known as the boss of the Gambino family between 1992 and 1999. He was brought before the court multiple times starting in 2004 and all the way through 2009 as a defendant in trials for racketeering. Curiously, all of the trials ended in mistrials. His net worth, as of 2021, was about $10 million.
10. Frank Abagnale (Net Worth: $10 Million)
Abagnale is a renowned conman, imposter, and check forger, so much so that he is thought to have assumed as many as eight new identities. While he does qualify as the 11th richest criminal on this list, he has turned things around, currently working as a lecturer and consultant for the FBI. His net worth is estimated to be $10 million.
11. Ephren Taylor (Net Worth: $10 Million)
Taylor was sentenced to 19 years and seven months in a federal penitentiary for devising and employing a scheme that tricked over 400 people by cheating them out of a stunning $16 million. With that said, his estimated net worth in 2021 was still $10 million.
12. John Gotti (Net Worth: $30 Million)
As one of the most well-known and prominent mobsters turned Gabino crime family boss, the Italian-American John Gotti became the family’s top earner. While he was turned in by informants and ultimately brought down, Gotti’s net worth is still estimated to be $30 million as of 2021.
13. Rayful Edmond (Net Worth: $50 Million)
In the 1980s, few could compare to Rayful Edmond in terms of power as a Washington D.C. American drug lords. He has commonly credited the introduction of crack cocaine into D.C., triggering a serious escalation of homicides in the United States, helping the city acquire the unwelcome monitor of America’s “murder” capital. As of 2021, Rayful Edmond’s net worth was $50 million.
14. Big Meech (Net Worth: $100 Million)
Detroit has had its share of organized crime that centered around drugs. Brothers Terry Flenory and Demetrius founded the Big Meech “Black Mafia Family” organization and by the year 2000, they were the prominent drug traffickers of cocaine distribution across the lower forty-eight. Big Meech was estimated to have a net worth of $100 million as recently as 2021.
15. Al Capone (Net Worth: $100 Million)
The Prohibition era saw the rise of criminals who would dabble in the distribution of forbidden substances, with the most recognizable name among this crew being Al Capone, who was also known as “Scarface.” Capone was the boss of the Chicago Outfit and had a 7-year reign as the mob boss until he went down for tax evasion at the age of 33. His net worth is still estimated to be $100 million as of 2021.
16. El Chapo Guzman (Net Worth: $1 Billion)
Most people are familiar with El Chapo Guzman, the 5th richest criminal on our list for his reputation as the Sinaloa Cartel drug lord. He quickly grew into one of the richest and most powerful drug distributors along the Pacific coast of Mexico’s state of Sinaloa. By 2003 he was Mexico’s top drug lord and regarded by most as the most powerful trafficker across the globe. While he was finally taken down in the last few years, his net worth was estimated to be at $1 billion.
17. Griselda Blanco (Net Worth: $2 Billion)
Known to many as “The Black Widow or “La Madrina,” Griselda Blanco was a Columbian drug lord that presided over the Medellin Cartel. She was also the reigning pioneer of the cocaine trade in 1950s Miami. Her drug campaign involved transporting drugs from Columbia to New York City, an endeavor that accumulated a massive murder count of over 200. In 2012, at the age of 69, Blanco, the 4th richest criminal on our list, was shot and killed. As of 2021, her estimated net worth was a stunning $2 billion.
18. Carlos Lehder (Net Worth: $2.7 billion)
Not only is Carlos Lehder a former Columbian drug lord, but he’s also a co-founding member of the Medellin Cartel. The Armenian-born Lehder is currently incarcerated in the United States, though before he went down to the law, he ran an entire cocaine transport empire on Norman’s Cay Island. As of 2021, Carlos Lehder’s net worth is estimated to be $2.7 billion.
19. Leona Helmsley (Net Worth: $8 billion)
Leona Helmsley had a reputation, and it was not a positive one. She was dubbed “The Queen of Mean” for her tyrannical behavior and unwelcoming personality. Perhaps it was that same mentality that made her think she did not need to pay taxes to the government. In 1989, her tricks caught up with her as she was busted and prosecuted for tax evasion.
As of 2021, her estimated net worth was estimated to be a stunning 8 billion dollars, though who only knows how much the government took off of that for unpaid taxes. In either case, Leona Helmsley tops our list as the richest criminal in the world.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the existence of rich criminals highlights the dark side of wealth accumulation and the potential consequences of greed and illegal activities. While their net worth may be impressive, it is important to remember that their riches were not earned through legitimate means and often come at the expense of others.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is the richest criminal in the world?
It is difficult to determine the richest criminal in the world, as their wealth is often obtained illegally and kept hidden. However, drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who was once the head of the Sinaloa cartel, is believed to be one of the wealthiest criminals in history, with an estimated net worth of $1 billion.
How long does it take to get a criminal summons?
The time it takes to receive a criminal summons varies depending on the jurisdiction and complexity of the case. In some cases, a summons may be issued immediately, while in others, it may take weeks or months to process. It is best to consult with a legal professional to understand the specific timeline for your situation.
Can the military clear your criminal record?
In certain circumstances, the military may be able to clear some or all of a person’s criminal record. However, this is typically only available to current or former military members and is subject to strict eligibility requirements. It is best to consult with a military legal representative to understand your situation’s specific options and requirements.
Hello, my name is Idammah, and I am the founder of Wolfionaire.com, a personal development, and finance blog focused on motivation, success, and wealth. I am obsessed with studying the world's wealthiest individuals and learning about their path to success. I believe anyone can achieve their financial goals with the right mindset and strategies, and I hope to inspire and empower my readers to pursue their own path to success.
