White collar crime is generally a non-violent act that takes place in business. The primary goal is for the person or people participating in the crime to obtain assets or some form of financial gain as a result of their actions.
There are a number of well-known white collar crimes, like fraud and tax evasion. These are just two of many, however. There are a few more kinds of fraud that can land a person in trouble with the law.
1. Ponzi schemes
Ponzi schemes are some of the most significant white collar crimes out there. They take place when people invest into a non-existent business. They believe the business is real, so they invest many of their assets hoping for high returns.
In most cases, the first few investors do get the returns they expect, because the person running the scheme pays them off with money from later investors. The problem is that later investors can’t get a payout, because the money is gone.
2. Embezzlement
This is another common white collar crime. Embezzlement happens when you take money improperly from someone you owe a duty to. For instance, if you are an accountant and misuse your client’s funds, then you could face accusations of embezzlement.
No matter what you’ve done that is considered a white collar crime, you need to look into potential defense options. These are federal crimes, which means that you could face imprisonment, heavy fines and other serious penalties. Our site has more information on what to expect if you’re accused of a white collar crime and how you can protect yourself.
