Violent crimes such as murder understandably take up much of the news coverage. However, a crime does not have to be violent to have serious consequences.
White-collar crimes are non-violent offenses of a financial nature. They often involve the misappropriation or theft of large sums of money. Outlined below are two of the most common types of white-collar crimes.
1. Fraud
Deception is one of the key elements of fraud. The perpetrator will typically deceive the victim for financial gain. Fraud can happen both in person and online. For example, the perpetrator may sell something, such as a vehicle, and disappear once they receive the money as they never actually owned that vehicle. In terms of online fraud, one common example occurs via email. For instance, an email may request that someone send a few hundred dollars to an account in order to receive a larger sum of “prize winnings”. However, the prize money never actually existed.
2. Embezzlement
Embezzlement involves the misappropriation of funds by someone in a position of trust. One of the key aspects of embezzlement is that the embezzler has lawful access to the funds. It is their use of those funds that amounts to unlawful behavior.
For example, a shop manager may have access to the safe and accounts. They may be involved in legitimately paying clients and wholesalers. Nonetheless, if they use funds for unlawful purposes or personal profit, this is embezzlement.
Being charged with white-collar offenses is serious. The penalties can include significant fines and jail time. Those accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty and have a right to a fair trial. Seeking legal guidance will give you a better idea of your defense options.
