I think whoever masterminded this plot was what we call a psychopath. And people who go along with a psychopath's agenda take on those traits as well, sort of brainwashed. So it would be a personality disorder, rather than an intellectual problem.
They did manage to elude police arrest for several years, so they were fairly smart.
"The symptoms of psychopathy include: lack of a conscience or sense of guilt, lack of empathy, egocentricity,
pathological lying, repeated violations of social norms, disregard for the law, shallow emotions, and a history of victimizing others.
Read more:
Hare Psychopathy Checklist - define, person, people, used, personality, score, traits, Definition, Purpose