White-collar crime: types, causes, and detection methods

White-Collar Crime Discussion

White-collar crime differs significantly from street crime. In addition to having varying punishments and penalties, each classification of crime in this case has unique targets. It should, however, be noted that in most cases, both classifications of crime tend to be intentional and well-planned.

Impact of White-Collar Crime

According to Edwin H. Southerland (as cited in Vito, Maahs, and Holmes, 2005, p. 411), a white-collar crime could be defined as "a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation." The perpetrator of white-collar crime could, therefore, be an accountant, professional banker, fund manager, etc. In most cases, white-collar crime is motivated by, amongst other things, financial gain. According to Vito, Maahs, and Holmes (2005, p. 412), "white-collar offenses are as harmful to the public as street crimes."

To individuals, white-collar crimes could lead to financial turmoil, extreme stress, and ill health as a result of emotional turmoil. In the words of Croall (as cited in Davies, Francis, and Greer, 2012, p. 90), fraud and economic harm victims "report feelings such as bitterness and anger, depression, general health problems and loss of work." White-collar crime, when it comes to business, could trigger heavy business losses and a soiled reputation even for the most successful business enterprises. This is more so the case given that businesses have to incur the cost of investigations into allegations or instances of white-collar crime, prosecute perpetrators, compensate victims, and conduct damage control. To the society, white-collar crimes could be even more devastating than other forms of crime (Ferguson, 2010). This according to the author is particularly the case given that "white-collar crime has a far greater reach; both in terms of how long the effects last as well as how many others are affected" (Ferguson, 2010, p. 41). Amongst the masses, the most common health problems suffered by victims, as Ferguson further points out are stress and depression. With many defaulting on mortgages, loans, and other obligations like bills and debts as a result of declining financial capabilities, the society is left off worse than it was at an earlier point. All those who do business with/or depend on victims of white-collar crime are often times left destitute.

Measuring the Extent of White-Collar Crime: Challenges

There are many factors that make measuring the extent of white-collar crime particularly challenging. One such factor is the fact that a significant number of white-collar crime victims do "not report their victimization to the authorities" (Vito, Maahs, and Holmes, 2005, p. 413). For instance, in an attempt to avoid negative publicity and, hence reputation, many companies (particularly banks) elect to solve instances of white-collar crime internally. It is also important to note that some victims of white-collar crime may view their losses as "minimal" and hence unworthy of reporting. However, the said amounts may amount to much, such as when "a bank employee takes one penny out of thousands of accounts" (Davies, Francis, and Greer, 2012, p. 81). Most individual victims of white-collar crime may also be too shy to admit they were actually swindled, for fear of being regarded 'naive.'

Secondly, as Vito, Maahs, and Holmes (2005) point out, one other factor that makes the extent of white-collar crime difficult to measure is that economic and white-collar crimes are in most cases investigated not by law enforcement agencies but by professional and regulatory bodies including, but not limited to, the American Bar Association (Vito, Maahs, and Holmes, 2005). In such a case, as the authors further point out, only regulatory sanctions are meted out, making it difficult to track instances of such crimes.

Yet another factor that makes white-collar crime difficult to track is the fact that such "offenses usually fall under the jurisdiction of several different federal agencies (such as the Food and Drug Administration or the Internal Revenue Service)" (Vito, Maahs, and Holmes, 2005, p. 413). The said multi-agency involvement is enough to frustrate any attempt to measure the extent of white-collar crime.

Economic Crimes and their National Impact

White-collar crimes come in various formats and designs. These include, but they are not limited to, forgery and counterfeiting, credit card fraud, Ponzi schemes, and bank fraud. One good example of an economic crime that had national impact was the Madoff scam. In this case, Madoff was accused of conceiving, planning, and executing one of the biggest economic scams in history -- in particular, he was charged "with running a $64 billion Ponzi scheme" (DiMarino and Roberson, 2013, p. 26). For many years, Madoff, as DiMarino and Roberson (2013) further point out, paid out profits to existing investors using funds from new clients. He later on "made statements to his employees that his business was a giant Ponzi scheme and that his business had been insolvent for years" (DiMarino and Roberson, 2013, p. 26).

As Ferguson (2010) points out, the Madoff scam had scores of victims, with the ripple effects of the scam spreading far and wide. For instance, as the author in this case further notes, this particular scam had both direct and indirect victims -- for instance, "charities that had invested with Madoff were no longer able to help those who depended on them" (Ferguson, 2010, p. 41). In addition to impacting negatively on stocks, individuals who had entrusted thousands of dollars to Madoff were devastated. The Madoff scam also effectively crushed investor confidence. Those caught up in the entire melee may never garner enough confidence to invest in the financial markets ever again.

Victim Facilitation and how Citizens Can Protect themselves Against Economic and White-Collar Crimes