Illegal Bookmaking, Crypto Scams, and Excessive Cellphone Use: Mafia Life in 2025
By Michael Kaplan | Published Dec. 1, 2025
In recent years, the Mafia has undergone significant transformations, adapting to new technologies and shifting societal norms. The image of mobsters threatening rivals with violence is fading, replaced by involvement in high-tech crimes and digital schemes. Despite efforts by older generations to encourage their children to pursue legitimate careers, mafia family members, especially those from Generation Z, are still deeply involved in organized crime—albeit in more modern forms.
From Traditional Mob Violence to High-Tech Crime
Gone are the days when mobsters primarily relied on physical intimidation, kneecapping, or threats to make people “sleep with the fishes.” Today’s younger mobsters are increasingly engaged in crimes like illegal bookmaking, cryptocurrency scams, and the operation of ghost gun manufacturing rings.
A recent case involved a father and son team accused of selling ghost guns—untraceable firearms made with 3-D printed parts. Staten Island residents Joseph Orapallo, 57, and his son Frank, 22, were arrested on charges related to possessing these illegal weapons. Notably, they are the son and grandson of Joseph T. Tomasello, a well-known capo in the Colombo crime family, illustrating how deeply these traditional crime families are intertwined with new enterprises.
Illegal Bookmaking Rings Flourish Amid Legal Alternatives
Despite the availability of legal sports betting platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel, illegal bookmaking operations persist and even thrive. An example is the recent bust of an online betting ring allegedly run by Lucchese crime family soldier Joseph “Little Joe” Perna, alongside several Gen Z relatives. Among the accused are Perna’s sons, Joseph R. Perna, 25, and Anthony Perna, 23, as well as stepson Frank Zito. Also involved were Joseph Magno, 25, and his brother Anthony Magno, 23, relatives through Perna’s ex-wife.
Authorities suggest Joseph R. Perna managed day-to-day operations, with “Little Joe” financing the endeavor. Customers reportedly included young acquaintances from the group’s high school and college days.
Michael Franzese, a former capo in the Colombo family who once earned an estimated $8 million weekly in the 1980s, explained why illegal bookmaking remains popular. “You can gamble online, but you’ve got to give a credit card,” Franzese said. “Guys lose their money and turn to [illicit] bookmakers to bet and get out of debt.” Unfortunately, this often leads to more severe debts with dangerous enforcers backing these illegal operations.
Crypto, Cybercrime, and Identity Theft: The Mafia’s Digital Expansion
The digital age has opened new avenues for organized crime. Young gangsters are now involved in money laundering, identity theft, and drug dealing using cryptocurrency and online platforms. James Buccellato, a gang specialist and author of Early Organized Crime in Detroit, noted that crimes range from sophisticated database breaches to simple credit card skimming schemes run by insiders in establishments like restaurants.
While the mafia’s embrace of technology expands its reach, it also brings risks. The reliance on cellphones to conduct business results in digital records—text messages, photos, and location data—that law enforcement can use as evidence. Seamus McElearney, a former FBI special agent, highlighted that federal cases increasingly rely on such digital footprints, which he described as a form of wire fraud. This reliance on technology marks a departure from the traditional, face-to-face dealings that once shielded mobsters from easy prosecution.
The Challenges of the New Generation
Old-school mobsters find the new generation’s methods both amusing and troubling. A Colombo family veteran lamented that “everything is on the phone with them,” with young mobsters sending threatening texts rather than making intimidating in-person visits. Gene Borrello, a former Bonanno family associate, criticized these long-distance threats as a sign of weakness, doubting that these new mobsters can enforce debt collection effectively.
“There is no more threat of violence,” Borrello said. “People say, ‘That guy was a killer. So I’m going to pay him.’ With the young guys, who view the mafia like a college fraternity, nobody’s going to pay. What will they do if they don’t get paid? Start yelling?”
Seamus McElearney also observed that the traditional code of silence is eroding. Young criminals are more likely to “roll over” during investigations, prioritizing self-interest over loyalty.
Attempts to Break the Cycle
Many older mobsters push their children toward legitimate careers in hopes of breaking the cycle of crime. This has been the case with infamous figures like Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano, a former mobster notorious for his criminal past but who later turned government witness. Gravano reportedly tried to keep his children away from mob life.
Despite this, family ties often pull younger generations back into illicit activities. Karen Gravano, Sammy’s daughter and author of Mob Daughter, admitted that while she did not want to join the Mafia, she became involved with drug dealing, notably ecstasy, during her late twenties. She acknowledged that her mob lineage gave her credibility and a fear factor among criminal partners and rivals alike.
“I definitely think children of parents who are infamous in the criminal world are sought after [by criminals],” Karen said, noting her father discouraged her from engaging in illegal activities.
Conclusion
The Mafia in 2025 is a far cry from its 20th-century portrayal, morphing into a hybrid of traditional organized crime and digital age criminality. While the violence and face-to-face intimidation are less common, the new methods present novel challenges for law enforcement. The younger generation’s reliance on technology and disregard for the old code may undermine the Mafia’s cohesion, yet illegal enterprises like bookmaking, ghost gun manufacturing, and crypto-related scams continue to thrive beneath the surface of society.
As authorities close in using digital evidence and the traditional mob faces internal challenges, the future of organized crime remains uncertain. What is clear is that the Mafia must evolve—or risk becoming a relic of the past.
For related stories:
- Northeast braces for extreme cold this Christmas
- Latest developments in college football
- Cyber Monday deals update 2025