MCAB - Crimes Against a Business (Lesson)
Crimes Against a Business
Introduction
White-collar crime does not always involve the business committing the crime. Many times it relates to an individual or entity committing the crime against a business. This type of crime can be a smaller crime such as a cashier embezzling funds from a small grocery store to a more serious crime such as a stock broker working for a major trading corporation selling insider trade secrets in a get rich quick scheme.
In this lesson, we will look at a selection of crimes committed against a business.
Before we explore this topic though, let’s look at an example of a crime committed against a business. Have you ever watched the movie “Catch me if you can?” This movie starred Leonardo DeCaprio who portrayed a teenager who committed fraud by pretending to be an airline pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer. In these pretend roles, he created false identities, fraudulent documents, and he forged payroll checks written on the bank accounts of a major airline. He traveled around the world committing this fraud, becoming one of the most famous imposters ever. This movie was based on a true story about Frank Abagnale, Jr. Eventually, after getting caught, serving his conviction sentence, and rehabilitation, Abagnale worked with the FBI in catching numerous criminals committing financial fraud. His experience led him to work with the FBI in fraud cases and to start his own business in which he advises companies on fraud issues.
Crimes Against a Business
As we have talked about, white-collar crime describes a wide-range of crimes but they all involve some sort of deceit motivated by financial gain. The severity of these types of crimes also vary, depending on such things as severity, property value, and property type. White-collar crime may also vary by jurisdiction.
Let’s take a look at a few more descriptions and examples of crimes committed against a business. Download and view the Crimes Against a Business Flyer by clicking on the button below.
Let's Review!
Take a moment to participate in the following activity to practice your understanding of the topics in this module. Reach out to your instructor if you have any questions.
Final Thoughts
Crimes against businesses vary among complexity, size, scope, and severity. Crimes vary from shoplifting, vandalism, and embezzlement to more extreme crimes such as mortgage and financial fraud, counterfeiting, and piracy. Even with all the differences that make up white-collar crime, most crime in this category has to do with some sort of deceit and is motivated by financial gain. White-collar crime is generally seen as non-violent; however, consider when a company dumps toxic waste that penetrates into a community and threatens a community’s health. In some situations, involving this type of crime can incur serious ramifications. When a company is impacted by the effects of white-collar crime, the impact trickles down through higher costs of products for consumers, less pay for employees, loss of jobs, and even possible closure of businesses, just to name a few.
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