Racketeer

A racketeer is an individual who engages in organized and illegal activities for profit, often involving extortion, bribery, or fraud. This typically includes providing a service to criminals, manipulating or exploiting a legitimate business or industry to gain illicit financial benefits, or conducting illegal activities such as drug trafficking or loan sharking. Racketeering usually involves a pattern of criminal behavior and the establishment of an illegal enterprise to carry out its objectives. The term often implies involvement with organized crime, but can also include any individual or group engaged in systematic dishonest business dealings.

Racketeer meaning with examples

• The investigation revealed a network of corrupt politicians and businessmen acting as racketeers, extorting money from local businesses under the threat of violence or regulatory harassment. This illicit operation allowed the racketeers to amass vast wealth while damaging the city's economic landscape. The case exposed the deep-seated corruption, as the racketeers preyed on vulnerable members of society.
• During the Prohibition era, bootleggers and gangsters were some of the most prominent racketeers, controlling the illegal alcohol trade. These racketeers operated with ruthless efficiency, using violence and intimidation to eliminate competition and protect their lucrative operations. The scale of their influence extended to government officials.
• The construction industry was plagued by racketeers who demanded protection money from contractors, manipulating bids and diverting funds to line their own pockets. These racketeers controlled unions and used them to threaten contractors who didn't comply. Law enforcement struggled to dismantle this sophisticated criminal enterprise.
• A sophisticated scheme uncovered that several online vendors were racketeers who were creating fake reviews to boost their product sales and manipulate search results to gain an unfair advantage. These racketeers were able to deceive customers with fabricated reviews to secure their profit.
• The corrupt police officer was exposed as a racketeer, accepting bribes from drug dealers in exchange for turning a blind eye to their illegal activities. This racketeer facilitated the proliferation of the drug trade in the community, undermining the local government and law enforcement's efforts.