Images and perceptions of organized crime and criminals were studied through participant observations of the Russian-speaking community in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. First impressions of organized crime among Russian immigrants to the Netherlands seemed to corroborate the findings of previous research in that there was no evidence of a tangible, well-organized Red Mafia. Nonetheless, the criminal image of Russian immigrants was widespread in the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe. The image of organized crime set a behavior pattern for some immigrants and, privately or collectively, they learned to manipulate it to further their economic and political interests. Factors associated with the negative identity of Russian-speaking immigrants are discussed, and ways in which Russian immigrants manipulate their identity in such organized crimes as prostitution are noted. 23 references