racketeer

Plural: racketeers

Noun

• someone who commits crimes for profit (especially one who obtains money by fraud or extortion)
• One who commits crimes (especially fraud, bribery, loansharking, extortion etc.) to aid in running a shady or illegal business.
• One who instigates or has involvement with a racket.

Verb

• carry on illegal business activities involving crime
• to carry out illegal business activities or criminal schemes.
• to commit crimes systematically as part of a criminal organization.

Related Words

gangster, mobster, organized crime, privateer, profiteer