There are everyday crimes like assault, theft, burglary, carjacking, and drug possession, and then there are “white collar crimes,” which are a whole different animal. When you think of white collar crimes, think of business professionals who are involved in complex, sophisticated fraud schemes involving other people’s money.
Think of loan officers creating fraudulent documents for their clients’ mortgage loans. Think of people stealing others’ identities and ruining their credit scores. Think of investment fraud and Ponzi schemes – now these are all white collar crimes but they don’t end there. The term “white collar crime” was coined in 1939 and it refers to a wide range of frauds that are typically committed by business and government officials.
Is the FBI Involved in the Investigation?
A white collar crime may not involve bodily injuries or a 911 call in the middle of the night. No one’s car is stolen and nobody ends up in the hospital, but we assure you they are not victimless crimes. A single crime can ruin a family, wipe out someone’s life savings, and cost an investor millions of dollars. White collar crimes have never been more sophisticated than they are today and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has entire task forces dedicated to the investigation, tracking down, and prosecution of white collar criminals. “FBI special agents work closely with partner law enforcement and regulatory agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, among others, targeting sophisticated, multi-layered fraud cases that harm the economy,” according to the FBI’s website.
White collar crimes include but are not limited to:
- Falsification of financial information
- Insider trading
- Identity theft
- Healthcare fraud
- Money laundering
- Securities fraud
- Tax evasion
- Market manipulation
- Mortgage fraud
Are you facing federal charges for a white collar crime? Are you being investigated by the FBI? At The Zendeh Del Law Firm, PLLC, we practice state and federal defense. Contact us today to explore your legal options.