Are there different kinds of white-collar crime?

White-collar crime is a surprisingly broad area and may take place across a range of businesses, no matter their size. The motivation for these types of crimes is often financial, and according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, white-collar crimes may operate in smaller communities to global chains that involve many different people and business entities.

Some types of white-collar crime may result in state or federal charges, depending on their circumstances and the type of theft or fraud involved.

Financial fraud

This is one of the most common types of white-collar crime and designed to benefit business owners and, in some cases, their stockholders. Almost anyone involved with a business might commit fraud, including:

• The owner or CEO of a company
• An accountant who files false financial information
• Commercial loan fraud

In some cases, a business owner may commit financial fraud by hiding or falsifying assets to avoid paying certain taxes or to manipulate the value of the company to improve its place on the stock market.

Insider fraud

Running a business comes with a certain amount of risk, which may explain the increase in insider trading and misappropriation occurring in many businesses across the nation. Business owners who commit insider fraud, such as inside trading and misusing funds, may do so in a bid to attract more investors.

In some cases, white-collar crimes may occur within the scope of larger criminal acts, such as those connected with organized crime. While the FBI remains focused on large-scale operations, almost any type of business fraud will likely result in a local, state or federal charge.