The concept of a "top 10 gangster" is often subjective and can vary depending on criteria such as criminal influence, power, wealth, or violence. Here's a list of some of the most notorious gangsters from historical and contemporary times based on their impact on crime and society.
Al Capone (USA)
- Era: 1920s–1930s
- Criminal Activity: Bootlegging, gambling, racketeering, and violence.
- Infamous For: Leading the Chicago Outfit during Prohibition, known as "Scarface."
Pablo Escobar (Colombia)
- Era: 1970s–1990s
- Criminal Activity: Drug trafficking.
- Infamous For: Founding the Medellín Cartel and controlling a large portion of the global cocaine trade.
Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán (Mexico)
- Era: 1980s–2010s
- Criminal Activity: Drug trafficking.
- Infamous For: Leading the Sinaloa Cartel; escaping from high-security prisons multiple times.
Dawood Ibrahim (India)
- Era: 1970s–present
- Criminal Activity: Terrorism, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, money laundering.
- Infamous For: Leading the D-Company; involvement in the 1993 Bombay bombings.
John Gotti (USA)
- Era: 1980s–1990s
- Criminal Activity: Racketeering, extortion, murder.
- He is Famous for Leading the Gambino crime family. His flamboyant style and repeated legal escapes earned him the nickname "Teflon Don."
Meyer Lansky (USA)
- Era: 1920s–1980s
- Criminal Activity: Gambling, money laundering, organized crime.
- Infamous For: Co-founding the National Crime Syndicate and creating a vast international gambling empire.
Frank Lucas (USA)
- Era: 1960s–1970s
- Criminal Activity: Drug trafficking (heroin).
- Infamous For: Smuggling heroin from Southeast Asia directly into the U.S. during the Vietnam War era.
Lucky Luciano (USA)
- Era: 1920s–1940s
- Criminal Activity: Prostitution, drug trafficking, bootlegging.
- Infamous For: Organizing the American Mafia into its modern structure and co-founding the Commission, which mediated disputes among crime families.
Semion Mogilevich (Russia)
- Era: 1990s–present
- Criminal Activity: Arms trafficking, drug trafficking, prostitution, money laundering.
- He is Famous for operating an extensive international crime syndicate and is often called the "boss of bosses" of Russian organized crime.
Carlos Lehder (Colombia)
- Era: 1970s–1980s
- Criminal Activity: Drug trafficking.
- Infamous For: Co-founding the Medellín Cartel alongside Pablo Escobar; revolutionized cocaine trafficking by using the Bahamas as a transit point to the U.S.
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This list includes historical figures and contemporary criminals, many of whom have profoundly and devastatingly impacted society worldwide. However, it is crucial to remember that these individuals were responsible for severe crimes, including violence and the destruction of many lives.