The Spangled Mob are an American crime organization based in Las Vegas. Led by Jack and Seraffimo Spang, the Spangled Mob features prominently in the novel Diamonds Are Forever. They also appear in Goldfinger and The Man with the Golden Gun.
Background
Twin brothers Jack and Seraffimo Spang founded the "Spangled Mob". A highly influential crime syndicate which operates widely in the United States, the Mob operates from the Tiara Hotel in Las Vegas, with branch headquarters in Miami, Detroit and Chicago.
Among the various assets owned by the mob, the brothers bought control of the House of Diamonds five years prior to the novel Diamonds are Forever. An apparently legitimate American jewellers, the House of Diamonds has a presence in Paris, New York and London (though to benefit from the Nevada tax laws, their company offices are based at the Tiara Hotel).
The Spangled Mob is involved in various illegal activities; such as diamond smuggling, owning an illegal "wire service", narcotics and organized prostitution. The latter ventures are handled from New York by Michael (Shady) Tree who has five previous convictions for various offences.
Novel appearances
Diamonds Are Forever
The Spangled Mob's first appearance was in the Ian Fleming novel Diamonds are Forever where they act as the main antagonists. Founded by Jack and Seraffimo Spang also known as the Spang brothers. Its enforcers were Albert Wint and Charles Kidd. In this novel, the Spangled Mob is behind the smuggling of diamonds out of British territory in Africa, through Europe, then into the United States. James Bond, was sent to investigate the pipeline undercover as "Peter Franks" and helped smuggle diamonds inside golf balls through New York airport with the help of Tiffany Case.
Bond then makes his way to Las Vegas, the end of the pipeline headed by the brothers Spang. With the help of Tiffany and his best friend Felix Leiter, Bond is able to put a halt to the diamond smuggling ring once and for all.
Goldfinger
Years after the smuggling pipeline of the Spang brothers was destroyed by James Bond, gangster Jack Strap emerged as the gang's new leader. He was summoned by SMERSH treasurer Auric Goldfinger to a meeting, and agreed to assist in Operation Grand Slam, a plan to raid the U.S. gold bullion depository at Fort Knox. After the raid was foiled, Goldfinger personally assassinated Strap, along with other crime bosses he recruited.
The Man with the Golden Gun
The Spangled Mob's final mention is in the posthumously published novel The Man with the Golden Gun where it is stated that infamous assassin Francisco Scaramanga was on occasion hired as a hit-man for the Spangled Mob.
Known members and associates
- Jack & Seraffimo Spang (Founders)
- Jack Strap (Successor Leader)
- Mr. Wint & Mr. Kidd (Enforcers)
- Shady Tree (Middleman)
- Francisco Scaramanga (Hitman)
- Tiffany Case (Middleman)
See also
- Operation Grand Slam
- Auric Enterprises
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