FX.co ★ Italy’s ‘Ndrangheta mafia earns more than McDonalds

Spring is the time to file tax return and estimate financial results over the year. The world’s largest companies have already prepared their reports on profits, losses and other ups and downs. Cash flow control does not tolerate mistakes, cool heads and precise figures are what one needs here, regardless of the business sphere. Even if it is a crime syndicate, the scenario is the same, expect perhaps the rebukes that are stricter. While the strong guys get the job done, modest accountants distribute the billions of euros. According to the recent study, the ‘Ndrangheta, the southern Italian mafia in Calabria region, managed to earn whooping 53 billion euros in 2013 which is 9 billion euros more than earnings of McDonald’s and the German Deutsche Bank put together. So, let’s know which side bread is buttered. The profits of the mob totaled more than the equivalent of 3.5% of Italian GDP. Illegal drug trafficking brings in an estimated 24.2 billion euros, although there is a wide selection of other options. Besides, sticking to the rule “no traces” helped the organized crime group to earn 19.6 billion euros on garbage disposal. Extortion and usury brought 3 billion euros, thefts earned around 2.5 billion euros, and gambling contributed 1.3 billion euros. Meanwhile, illegal trafficking, prostitution, and arms trading were less profitable earning just 1 billion euros. The ‘Ndrangheta is actively involved into international businesses. The criminal organization is allies with Sicilian Cosa Nostra and Neapols-based Camorra. The “company” is thought to have 400 key operatives in 30 countries worldwide. More than 60,000 people are believed to be involved into the company’s activities. With such an annual turnover the ‘Ndrangheta could have had a nice IPO on stock exchange.