Insider Trading

White Collar Crimes

What is a white collar crime?

"White collar crime" is a term used to describe a broad range of criminal offenses typically committed by individuals in a business, political or financial environment. Most of these are non-violent theft crimes, and many may be charged at a state and/or federal level. Because they may involve complex financial transactions and high-profile politicians or business executives, white collar cases should be approached with the utmost care.

The following are some of the most common types of white collar crimes:

Embezzlement

This offense involves unlawfully transferring or misappropriating assets that are entrusted to one's care. Anyone from a CEO to an accountant to a store clerk may face embezzlement charges if accused of taking money for personal gain.

Fraud

Fraud may be described as "theft by deception". It occurs when a person devises a scheme to take another's money or property through misrepresentation, deceit or outright lies.

Counterfeiting

Though it used to mostly apply to money, counterfeiting today includes creating false replicas of designer goods, artwork, legal documents and money.

Identity Theft

Identity theft is a type of white collar crime that occurs when one takes another's personal information (credit card number, social security number, etc.) in order to assume their identity, usually for financial gain.

Forgery

Altering or creating a false replica of a document, work of art, signature or banknote may constitute the criminal act of forgery. This is a serious white collar crime that may be harshly penalized.

Public Corruption

Public corruption is somewhat of an umbrella term used to describe criminal offenses wherein a person is using his or her public office for personal gain. It may include bribery, extortion, embezzlement and similar crimes.

Tax Evasion

Also referred to as tax fraud, tax evasion is described as the act of purposefully misrepresenting financial information or committing fraud in order to avoid paying taxes.

Extortion

The general definition of extortion is obtaining money or other valuable goods or services from another person through force or threats. It may include blackmail, threats of property damage or physical harm or threats of unfavorable government action.

Bribery

It is illegal to offer a person in an official position money or other valuables in exchange for the performance of an official act. Bribery may involve individuals in public office, law enforcement officers or even sports officials.

Insider Trading

When a person is accused of trading on the stock exchange based off confidential, "insider" information, this may be referred to as insider trading. Imprisonment and heavy fines may be enforced for a conviction of this kind.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14