Is there an automated system for Mafia Wars?

Is there one? Yes.

Is it a breach of the terms of service to use it? Yes.

With the new update, though, pretty much every script kiddie who’s cheating at Mafia Wars is having to rewrite his stuff. If you insist on playing unfairly and against the rules, you may wish to sit back for a while until they get their new cheats up and running.

Does it break the rules? Yes.
Is it unfair to others who don’t cheat? Yes.
Was the game made for this kind of stuff? No.

There answers your question

I didn’t know that this was considered cheating. Oops!

You agree that your use of and conduct on the Service shall be lawful and your User Content will not…

xiv) except as may be the result of standard search engine or Internet browser usage, use or launch, develop or distribute any automated system, including, without limitation, any spider, robot (or “bot”), cheat utility, scraper or offline reader that accesses the Service, or use or launch any unauthorized script or other software

http://www.zynga.com/legal/terms_of_service.php

@laureth – Like anybody reads the Terms of Service….

I guess I’m “anybody,” then. ;) I read contracts before signing them, too.