A crime is considered white collar when the motives are financial, and the crime does not involve violent actions. Typically, white collar crimes are committed by people with professional jobs at businesses or within government organizations. 

In Miami, mortgage and real estate fraud are especially common, but criminals commit other crimes. The following is a list of some types of white collar crime, many of which are types of fraud.

  • Wage theft
  • Insurance fraud
  • Bribery
  • Ponzi schemes
  • Insider trading
  • Embezzlement
  • Copyright infringement
  • Money laundering
  • Identity theft
  • Forgery
  • Mail fraud
  • Tax evasion

Cybercrime is typically an example of white-collar crime. Technology has made it increasingly easy to gain access to others’ information up to assuming someone else’s identity.

White collar criminals differ from other criminals based on socioeconomic status: they are salaried professionals who may be respected or even notable. Often, the perpetrators of this type of crime have access to resources that will allow them to get away with the crime for longer than someone who commits other crime or even a violent offense. This is because their role within the organization or business provides them access with money or information as well as the means to cover their tracks, often through data manipulation. Accounting schemes enable executives to mislead others within their organization, investors, and the government.

Although some people view white collar crimes are lesser offenses than violent crimes, corporate fraud is listed as one of the FBI’s highest priorities because of the impact to the U.S. economy in addition to the loss to investors. Punishments for white collar crimes include asset forfeiture, in which law enforcement will seize money and purchases from a white collar criminal to repay victims of the crime or to otherwise benefit the community. This could include seizing accounts, jewelry, and vehicles as well as taking over real estate. Law enforcement will even take art from people who have committed a white collar crime. 

When white collar crime involves stocks and other securities, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the SEC, will perform an investigation. The SEC is responsible for enforcing securities laws and welcomes tips regarding criminal activity. Employees who are willing to report criminal activity by their employers are known as whistleblowers, and they are crucial to revealing when white-collar crimes have occurred. 

People who have been accused of white collar crimes can consult attorneys who specialize in that sort of crime to provide the most effective defense.


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Roy J. Kahn, with years of legal experience in a wide variety of criminal law, heads a “boutique” firm, which means that your attorney is Roy J.Kahn, not a paralegal. If you have been charged or are about to be charged with a crime—or if you have been contacted to be a witness in a federal grand jury case, you need a qualified defense. You should consult with an attorney immediately and know that you have a right to make no statement until you have consulted with an attorney To contact Mr. Kahn, he can be reached at 305-358-7400.