I think there are many different cases where those in power can and do manipulate a situation for their own gain at others' expense. The bridge I find hard to cross is believing that it's all orchestrated by some cabal rather than elites just capitalizing on chance events.
Discussion
Many people acting separately but with similar intentions could appear organized.
True.
And they don't need to be organised like some textbook Organisational Behaviour case study.
They only need to be more organised than the masses.
They can backstab, cheat, sleep on the job, and do bowls of cocaine and still keep power as long as the masses are kept distracted and divided.
This is more along the lines of what I find believable. There are plenty of crooks, they're not exceptionally well-organized, but many have similar interests and are a step ahead of the public.