White-collar crime is defined as the financial motivations of non-violent crimes that are committed by professionals of business and those of the government. In the field of criminology, Edwin Suthelan (1939), a socialist who was the first person to define white-collar crime as a crime that respectable and those people of higher social status commit. The crimes include those associated with fraud, bribery, embezzlement, cybercrime, money laundering, theft of the identity and many more crimes that are nonviolent. For the white collar crimes, the offenses committed should produce some gains financially. The crimes are thereby committed by those persons holding various positions in businesses or organizations, and it is because of this position they can gain access to amounts of huge money that they get from the people like customers with whom they serve. The criminals involved are not caught in activities that are violent, involved in drug issues or illegal activities. Certain theories have been discussed in the textbook and other readings for the purpose of explaining the crimes of white-collar. One of the theories under discussion is the strain theory that explains more of the reasons as to why such crimes happen. White collar crime is the violated position of trust done by someone whose main role is formally related to that of another person for personal gain or advantage. General strain theory on white collar crimes is a criminological theory
However, the best known theory in reference to white-collar crime, which is still talked about today, and in many ways connects the learning theory, is the differential association theory. Differential association theory suggests that delinquent individuals influence other individuals within a group or environment or, as a single person, to perform acts of deviant behavior or outside of the social norms (Seddig, 2014). Just as forms of criminal behavior is learned, Sutherland stated that white-collar crime is no different and that it is learned directly or indirectly by individuals who are already participating in criminal behavior (Schmalleger, 2011). The differential association theory is useful in explaining white-collar crimes when: (a) Individuals who already participate in these crimes my easily coerce other individuals, teams, or departments within the environment when the benefits are known and the crime looks easy or simple, (b) The crime looks easy to commit, and your co-worker explains how easy the process is and that skimming a small percentage off of such a large sum will never be missed, and (c) In committing white-collar crimes, often time there are reasons such as unattainable goals , thus, organizational managers may turn to crime to meet corporate
Most people, when they hear the word “crime,” think about street crime or violent crime such as murder, rape, theft, or drugs. However, there is another type of crime that has cost people their life savings, investors’ billions of dollars, and has had significant impacts of multiple lives; it is called white collar crime. The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines white collar crime as
Engdahl mentions how the "structures for white-collar crimes consists of: financial self-interests, low priority of control, and interpretative primacy" (Chapter 44). Chapter 44 also mentions how "white-collar crimes happen because of individuals access to authority, social contract networks and technical-administrative systems" (Chapter 44, pg. 544). Chapter 44 also mentions how, "individuals position at the work place build up barriers that could possibly hinder others from controlling a course of events such as; obstructing suspicion and detection, through their impeding investigation and implementation of sanctions through their preventing legal actions once suspicion is detected" (Chapter 44, 543-544).
“White collar crime is defined as various crimes, as embezzlement, fraud, or stealing office equipment, committed by business or professional people while working. Generally the person accused of a white collar crime is someone of high prestige. White-collar crime is a broad term that
According to Copes & Vieraits(2009), White collar criminals of the corporate world are perpetrators. They are respectable and elite members of society who commit “illegal and harmful crimes.” This is motivated by the goal of economic gain and occupational success. While committing crimes, they use their position to fraudulently obtain money and evade prosecution.
Throughout history, many academics have proposed various theories to help comprehend and explain criminal behaviours. These theories investigate many different aspects of the causations of crime and those at risk of criminal behaviour. White collar crime is a term founded less than a century ago within 1939 by Edwin Sutherland. He identified white collar crime as "crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation" (Hirschi, 1987, pg 953). Sutherland strived to explain all types of crimes. He proposed that crime occurred beyond the streets, within the business and politic realm. White collar crimes differ heavily from street crime, as they are nonviolent acts committed by those in a state
According to my understanding and reflation paper the white-collar crime concepts are mostly similar, but it is spread in various field in the world. Edwin Sutherland concept provides detailed information about white-collar crime and how it’s work with the different circumstances. There are many techniques exists in current business work environment to reduce and prevent white-collar crime. It is difficult to prove white-collar crime against any victims because it is planed with the specific strategies. People are very worried about the white-collar crime according to the Edwin Sutherland because they do not have any particular information, when the crime occurs. There are many affects associated with the direct to people and it is also most
White Collar crime is not a crime unto it self, but instead a criteria that has to be met in order for a crime to be considered as White- Collar Crime; (Blount, 2002) hence the reason why Corporate Crime is also considered as White- Collar Crime. At the same time, White Collar Crime and Corporate Crime can be seen as distinct criminological categories, however, in order to reveal this, this essay will firstly be exploring Sutherland's definition of white collar crime and the perplexity with this definition of white-collar crime. It will then be looking at the modification which had to take place with Sutherland's definition of white-collar crime in order to established a distinction between white-collar and corporate crime.
White Collar crime has been a hot topic since the 20th century. Edwin Sutherland introduced the term at the fourth annual meeting of the Sociological Association. At this meeting he explained who this type of criminal is and what the criminal does for a living. Sutherland developed a theory to try and fit this type of criminal. The theory is differential association. There are four different pieces of evidence to understand the theory. White collar crime ranges from Embezzlement to Mortgage Fraud. This paper will explain several incidents which are involved with white collar crime and how it hurts many individuals from families to businesses. The sentencing guidelines help convict criminals. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act helped add on top of the
White Collar Crimes are those illegal acts which are characterized by deceit, concealment, or violation of trust and which are not dependent upon the application or threat of physical force or violence. Individuals and organizations commit these acts to obtain money, property, or services; to avoid the payment or loss of money or services; or to secure personal or business advantage.
Sutherland, and means “a crime committed by a business or government professional” (Federal Bureau of Investigation) that is also not physically harmful. “White collar crimes include things such as fraud, embezzlement, price fixing, and abuse of political and legal power” (Funk and Wagnall’s New World Encyclopedia). While “Blue Collar” crimes are “committed by a person who is unemployed or poorly paid and fell thy have no other choice but to engage in criminal activity.” (Educate Scotland) Blue collar includes violent crimes such as homicide, robbery, and
The study of social science, criminology investigates the heart of crime, it’s causes, it’s preventative measures, it’s reason for occurrence and society’s attitudes towards crime. White collar crime occurs in the world and many criminologists struggle to reach a compact definition of the crime. For the purpose of this paper, Edwin Sutherland’s definition (1939) will be utilized to help the reader - “white collar crime constitutes crimes committed by a person of high standing and social status in the course of their occupation”. It has an overwhelming negative impact on the community than ordinary crime and causes significant damage. Criminologists use ‘corporate crime’ and ‘white collar crime’ collectively and they are more or less equivalent
White-collar crime is any nonviolent, financially motivated crime. Such crimes include bank fraud, tax fraud, embezzlement (theft), extortion, money laundering, pyramid (Ponzi) schemes, racketeering, insider trading, identity theft, credit card fraud, bribery, forgery, tax evasion, cyber crimes, counterfeiting, and conspiracy. Such crimes, committed by prominent executives and politicians, routinely make headlines. But you don’t have to be powerful or celebrated to become embroiled in white-collar crimes. Any respectable, successful member of the community may come to believe that there’s
White-Collar crime entails illegal actions committed by upper class people and businesses. In the past crimes like fraud, embezzlement, income-tax evasion, and abuse of political and legal powers were treated by authorities more than typical crimes.
Quinney (1964), “Because the validity of white collar crime as a form of crime has been a subject of severe controversy, the question of conceptual clarity has largely been ignored. Today, as a result, the meaning of the concept is not always clear” (p208).