- In August 1993 FBI reported 15 organized crime groups from Soviet ethnic origin
- Many Russian immigrants involved in crime activity have not much do with Russian organized crime groups
- Current info states that most Russian crime groups don't have very good organization and have their own levels of structure
- They don't a lli with just anyone they a lli with people who meet their needs
- Russian rime groups in the U.S. communicate and operate with groups back in Russia
- FBI director Louis Freeth said over 200 of Russias' 6000 operate in 17 U.S cities and in 14 states
- Criminal groups in Russia are sent to the U.S. to reenforce and build up an alliance with the U.S. crime groups
- They can also be sent for gangland murders or extortion
Northern California Auto Theft Group
- From Western Russia Ukraine
- Young members steal cars old members operate in body shops
- They use inters tae 5 to travel to Oregon and Washington to sell parts from stolen cars to other Russian and Ukraine criminals
- Considered the dominant Russian organized crime group
- They established in Brighton Beach, New York between 1975-81
- Started in New York and spread to San Francisco and Los Angeles but their home base stayed in New York
- What they have in NY doesn't compare to what they have in SF and LA
- They are very discrete with how and what they do their language makes it difficult for law enforcement
- They are believed to be involved in extortion, money laundering, fraud, loan sharking, and homicide
- Located in Hollywood Los Angeles area
- Consistes of about 450 members
- Involved of extortion , fuel frauds, credit card frauds, murder, kidnaps and narcotic trafficking
- Several of theses members were convicted in 1944 in LA of attempted murder kidnaping an extortion
- Known for extorting many people in the Armenian community