Hey, I missed such a discussion... I am from Russia and know what is Russian orginized crime. Sure Russians in the US or other countries is quite another question...
But what we have here is sophisticated organized net of guys with the guts.
--Russian Mafia--
It was interestingly mentioned that in the time of USSR it was severe regime over all the people and under such challenges and conditions they had to be professional. It is true that there was execution of thousands in USSR from 20th to 50th and it was enough to tell something bad or even have a though to be executed.
After, the situation was on the way to democracy.
I guess modern Russian Mafia in Russian and FSU (Former Soviet Union) territory is quite different.
At least Russian Mafia in Russia got its chance to rule the country during 90th after USSR collapse.
It was wild time with murders, assasination of law enforcement representatives, politicians, businessmen. Criminals controlled political sphere, they had representatives at all the levels of state bodies system: federal level, level of entities and local level. Still some governors and presidents of republics (entities of the RF) have ties with mafia and support their interests.
Since order was somehow set up in the end of 90th and especially now when you can calmly go along the street at night with just a single chance of 100 to be beaten up for nothing or for a few dollars...
Now it is much more sophisticated, street crime is the past. Criminals become more and more intelligent. They have lawyers, accountants, specialists, people in law enforcement bodies, government, they don't shake guns and if someone constitues an obstacle for them - they will better not kill him but put in prison or get him out of deal somehow else.
It is business of stupid guys to steal, grab, beat up at the streets for several dollars or even hundreds...
The real deal now is done with more difficult crime - economic, Internet, etc.
There were hundreds of gangs in a small town of 200,000 population.
Now they don't need all those stupid conflicts.
Do you know about dating scam? I know 16-20 years guys have been earning $5-6K monthly getting just 20% of the money they raise from Americans and foreigners from other countries under dating scam.
Just imagine how much bosses got! One head of such net was getting $300-400K monthly from multi level net of such scammers.
Cops know very well such people, but they do nothing.
And about carding (bank accounts, credit cards money theft, etc.) One specialists working in the group of 3-4 guys in a highly professional manner could
earn $100K monthly. There was no need in wide net, just a few guys-professionals working in highly confidential way.
Nowadays the income out of these themes is much less, but still it is working.
I would better say Russian Mafia exists outside Russia, because within Russia there is very sophisticated system of organized criminals.
But fraud is important part of their business nowadays because it is less dangerous then street gang things and much more profitable.
--About Chechnya-- (there was discussion above, so let me add smth)
Chechnya and chechens (people of that enthic) is no longer problem for the Russian Federation since president Vladimir Putin did a lot during his 4+4 terms of service as the Preseident, and there is no longer anti-terroristic attack in Chechnya. All the regular forces were called home and now it is almost the same like other regions with its features.
Moreover, it is great development in Chechnya right now, there is NO such region in Russia now where development is so quick and positive. There is great construction, economic development. Local people are tired from wars and they want peacful life.
I have some friends, Chechens, what can I say... They can set up the strongest net for everything out of people of their ethnic. They are solidary, they have traditions, morality and religion is still very important factor even for those who left Chechnya and life in other places.
They try to be always together - not depending whether they live 100 km from Chechnya or 10000 km.
These guys will not tolerate outrage. They are strong by nature, body and soul.
I remeber at one club one Chechen guy had some conflict with some pure Russians and he kicked down 4 guys alone.
Chechens run their own black business and they have a few to deal with Russian Mafia.
-- Offer --
I need someone who have the guts.
I seek business partner in the US for highly profitable business.
No investment from your side is needed,
it will require organizational work and some time after we've started to maintain business.
It can be part-time and full-time business, income will depend on your efforts.
I need reliable partner who have the guts.
Please PM me.
Don't miss this chance and make me happy to finally find good guy with guts for serious business.

Join Russian Mafia and earn $20-100K monthly depending on your efforts.