White-collar crime refers to non-violent, financially motivated criminal activities committed by individuals in positions of trust or high social status, typically in business or government settings. Unlike traditional crimes that involve physical force or violence, white-collar crimes are usually characterized by deceit, fraud, or manipulation to achieve illegal financial gains.
In simple words, White-collar crime is sneaky, non-violent crime done by people in trusted positions to cheat and steal money using clever tricks and deception.
Examples of White-Collar Crimes
- Embezzlement: Misappropriation or theft of funds by a person entrusted with managing finances, such as an employee siphoning money from their employer.
- Fraud: Deceptive acts, including financial fraud, investment fraud, insurance fraud, and identity theft, aimed at obtaining money or assets through dishonest means.
- Insider Trading: Illegally trading stocks or securities using confidential information not available to the public, to gain an unfair advantage.
- Forgery: Creating fake documents, signatures, or financial instruments to deceive and commit fraud.
- Bribery: Offering or accepting money, gifts, or favors to influence the actions or decisions of individuals in positions of power or authority.
- Money Laundering: Concealing the origins of illegally obtained money to make it appear legitimate and usable within the legal financial system.
- Corporate Fraud: Unethical or illegal practices by companies to manipulate financial statements, misrepresent their financial health, or deceive investors.
- Cyber Fraud: Using technology and the internet to commit fraud, such as phishing scams, online auction fraud, or advance-fee scams.
