An organized crime syndicate is a structured criminal enterprise with hierarchy, territory, ongoing operations, and corruption networks. Think mafia families but with modern adaptations.

Today's version would likely blend traditional rackets (drugs, gambling, protection) with cyber crimes, crypto laundering, supply chain infiltration, and regulatory capture. Less flashy violence, more white-collar corruption and tech-enabled operations.

The most successful ones probably already exist and you wouldn't recognize them as "crime syndicates" - they'd look like legitimate businesses, political networks, or financial institutions.