Italian Facebook Mafia
A new generation and new communication tools. Also the Italian Mafia is using them. Where the old ‘Dons’ only used Pizzini’s, encrypted notes, the new generation of Mafia members make full use of social media. They have Facebook pages, use likes to express their interests, boast about their activities and even provoke the police and justice department.
The Independent and Telegraph both wrote an article about Domenico Palazzotto (age 28, from Palermo) who is active on Facebook, albeit under a false name, and publishes Selfies either relaxing on his speedboat or eating lobster on a terrace.
Palazzotto liked singer Kenny Loggins through Facebook but also a TV series about the Mafia. He openly insulted the police and chats with a man who wants to join the organisation. Just send me a resume, Palazzotto worte. “We need to consider your criminal record. We do not take on people with clean records”.
Another mafia member wrote on his Facebook Wall that he is still ‘one of the small sharks’, but that “the time will come when I rise to the surface and will have no pity for anyone.”
Being this active online was unthinkable for the older generation, says a researcher on mafia matters. The new generation shows it all, because they want respect. “The problem is however that you become traceable and can be arrested just anywhere.”
The Mob boss became increasingly influential in Arenella, a neighborhood in Palermo, where he had reportedly helped in different extortion cases. Palazzotto was arrested last June as part of Operation Apocalypse, along with 94 others. The police hopes to (temporarily) stop the election fraud, extortion and drug trafficking. But more important, they tried to stop with a merger with other clans. The nephew of Domenico, Gregorio (37) seemed to be an important link, issuing orders from prison. Gregorio also used Facebook to defame Mafia snitchers. He posted: “I am not scared of handcuffs, but for people who are starting to ‘sing’ to get out.”
Sources: Independent, Telegraph, CopsinCyberspace
Questions about this article
How does the Italian Mafia use Facebook?
According to the article, younger Mafia members have Facebook pages, use likes to show their interests, boast about their activities and even provoke the police and justice department, unlike older bosses who used encrypted paper notes.
Who is Domenico Palazzotto?
A 28-year-old from Palermo described as an increasingly influential Mafia boss in the Arenella neighbourhood. He was active on Facebook under a false name and was arrested in Operation Apocalypse along with 94 others.
Why is social media risky for Mafia members?
A researcher on mafia matters says the new generation shows everything online because they want respect, but that this makes them traceable and liable to be arrested anywhere.
Questions and answers added in 2026, based on the article above.