Which term refers to a network of organized criminal activity involving extortion, protection money, bribes, contract killing, and corruption?

• A. Mafia
• B. Organized crime
• C. Fence
• D. Art theft

Answer: (A)

A Mafia refers to a structured, hierarchical network of criminals that coordinates activities like extortion, protection money, bribery, contract killings, and widespread corruption to control territory and power. The key idea is the organized, enduring system with defined roles and rules, which makes the Mafia the most fitting label for this kind of network. While organized crime describes the broader phenomenon, the question seeks the specific network name, which is the Mafia. A fence is simply a middleman for stolen goods, and art theft is a type of crime, not the organizational concept.