Honor can function both in a group of honest citizens and in a group of obdurate criminals. It's a game-theoretic trick raised to the level of virtue and it's independent of group morality.
Thanks for saying that. I guess I should have explained further.
Hawala is originally from middle-east and has distinct Islamic flavor to it. So I can understand why someone can find my comment offensive.
Hawala has a history of being used in nefarious activities in India so I know better. Black-marketing gold, traceless transfer of money for terrorist activities etc. Gangs have spawned over it and gangs have survived over it. Since it is also used for sending remittance from Saudi to South-Asia by labor/slaves who have their password taken away from them, it is still tolerated socially though not legally.
