This article highlights ten notorious criminals who gained immense wealth through illicit means. From Al Capone to Pablo Escobar, these individuals rose to power through their involvement in organized crime, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities. Despite their humble beginnings, many of these criminals amassed fortunes worth billions of dollars, leaving behind devastating consequences for countless people. While their wealth may be impressive, this article emphasizes the importance of remembering the human cost of their actions. The pursuit of wealth and power should never be at the expense of others’ lives and well-being.

10 Criminals Who Went from Rags to Riches Through Illicit Means

Crime has always been one of the easiest and fastest ways to earn a fortune. Throughout history, there have been numerous cases of criminals who made it big through their nefarious activities despite starting from humble beginnings. Here are ten criminals who went from rags to riches through illicit means.

1. Al Capone

Al Capone was born into a poor Italian family in Brooklyn, New York. He rose to prominence during the prohibition era (1920-1933) when the sale and consumption of alcohol were banned in the US. Capone became the kingpin of organized crime in Chicago, controlling prostitution, gambling, and bootlegging. He amassed a huge fortune through his illegal activities and was estimated to be worth $100 million by the time he died in 1947.

2. Griselda Blanco

Griselda Blanco, also known as the “Godmother of Cocaine,” was born in Colombia and grew up in poverty. She started her criminal career as a pickpocket before becoming involved in the drug trade. Blanco moved to the US in the 1970s and established a drug empire in Miami. At the height of her power, she was making up to $80 million a month from cocaine trafficking. She was eventually arrested in 1985 and sentenced to prison. Blanco was murdered in 2012, but her legacy as one of the most successful drug lords remains.

3. Pablo Escobar

Pablo Escobar was born into a poor family in Colombia and dropped out of school to pursue a life of crime. He became the leader of the Medellin Cartel, one of the most powerful drug cartels in history. Escobar’s empire was worth billions of dollars, and he was one of the wealthiest people in the world at his peak. He was responsible for the deaths of thousands of people, including politicians, judges, and journalists. Escobar was eventually killed by Colombian authorities in 1993.

4. Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán

Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán grew up in poverty in Sinaloa, Mexico. He became involved in the drug trade as a teenager and rose to power in the 1990s as the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. Guzman’s net worth was estimated to be around $14 billion, making him one of the richest people in the world. He was extradited to the US in 2017 and sentenced to life in prison for drug trafficking and other crimes.

5. Charles “Lucky” Luciano

Charles “Lucky” Luciano was born in Sicily and emigrated to the US with his family when he was a child. He started his criminal career as a bootlegger during the prohibition era and went on to become the father of modern organized crime. Luciano founded the National Crime Syndicate, which controlled illegal activities across the country. He died in 1962, but his legacy lives on as one of the most influential mobsters in history.

6. Frank Lucas

Frank Lucas was born in North Carolina and moved to Harlem, New York in the 1940s. He became a drug lord in the 1960s, importing heroin from Southeast Asia and selling it on the streets of New York. Lucas’ empire was worth millions of dollars, and he was known for his extravagant lifestyle. He was eventually arrested and sentenced to prison. Lucas was released in 1991 and went on to publish a memoir about his life titled “The Return of Superfly.”

7. Dawood Ibrahim

Dawood Ibrahim was born in Mumbai, India, and started his criminal career as a local thug. He went on to become one of the most powerful gangsters in the world, with connections to terrorist organizations and governments. Ibrahim’s net worth is estimated to be around $6.7 billion, making him one of the richest people in India. He is currently on the run and is wanted by Interpol and various law enforcement agencies.

8. Meyer Lansky

Meyer Lansky was born in Poland and emigrated to the US with his family when he was a child. He became involved in organized crime during the prohibition era and went on to become one of the most powerful mobsters in history. Lansky was a mastermind of illegal activities, including gambling and money laundering. He died in 1983, but his influence on organized crime still resonates today.

9. Carlos Lehder

Carlos Lehder was born in Colombia and grew up in poverty. He started his criminal career as a small-time drug dealer before joining forces with Pablo Escobar. Lehder was a key member of the Medellin Cartel and was responsible for smuggling drugs into the US. He was eventually arrested and sentenced to life in prison. Lehder is currently incarcerated at a federal prison in the US.

10. Efraín Antonio Campo Flores and Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas

Efraín Antonio Campo Flores and Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas are two cousins from Venezuela who were convicted of drug trafficking in 2016. The pair was accused of conspiring to smuggle 1,762 pounds of cocaine into the US. They were sentenced to 18 years in prison, but their case drew attention to the widespread corruption and criminal activity in Venezuela’s government.

Conclusion

These ten criminals are just a small sample of the many people who have gone from rags to riches through illicit means. While their wealth may be impressive, it is important to remember that their crimes have had devastating consequences for countless people. The pursuit of wealth and power should never come at the cost of human lives and well-being.