A bag man (or bagman) is person designated to collect "protection money" (bribes or other payoffs). Originally a mob member collecting for mob bosses, the term later spread to use in corrupt police precincts where a foot patrolman was the designated "bagman" to pick up and deliver bribes from the local mob(s) to the precinct captain. In many cases, the bagman receives a percentage of the monies collected.

Also used as a slur used against the fund-raising heads of political campaigns; e.g., "Terry McAuliffe was Clinton's bagman."

In all cases, the bagman acts as "insulation" to protect higher-ups from exposure or direct prosecution. It is only sometimes successful.