Unit AC1.1 full marks that I used in my controlled assessment and I received an A*. This writeup was marked by my 2 criminology teachers who are also Criminology Examiners.
White Collar Crime is non-violent crimes usually committed in commercial situations for financial
gain by business and working professionals. It is considered as a victimless crime. Some examples of
White Collar crimes are fraud, tax evasion, Ponzi schemes etc.
Types of Victim
White-collar criminals frequently prey on those with money to invest in a financial scheme, such as
recently retired employees. People are often persuaded to sign up by friends or acquaintances. This
is particularly the case with Ponzi schemes, which are dishonest investment frauds that promise
investors enormous rates of return with little risk. However, since the offender keeps the initial
investment for their personal use, the rewards are supported by money from new investors.
Types of Offender
White-collar criminals frequently have a high level of respectability and social position and are
regarded as trustworthy by their victims. They frequently work in professional settings, which is why
wearing a white collar shirt and tie is mentioned. The Mafia (Italy, USA), Triads (China), Yakuza
(Japan), as well as organised crime gangs in Eastern Europe and the UK, can also be involved in
crimes.
Example
A case study what links to white collar crime is the Bernie Madoff Case. Bernie Madoff was an
American Businessman who, using a Ponzi scheme, defrauded investors of over $50 billion. Investors
believed their money was being paid into various funds to make money. However, interest payments
came not from the investments, which were never made, but from the payments made buy
Public Awareness
Because of the sophisticated methods used by the offenders to disguise their activities through a
succession of intricate transactions, many white-collar crimes are challenging to prosecute. The
perpetrator typically presents as a respected individual, so suspicion is not raised. As a result, public
awareness is frequently limited, especially given that crimes involving violence are frequently
covered in greater detail.
Deviant or Criminal?
As regards white-collar crime it is both criminal and deviant. It is criminal as such actions are against
the law and deviant as the actions are against the norms of society.
, Moral Crime
Moral Crimes are crimes that go against society's norms or moral codes. Some examples of moral
crimes are prostitution, vagrancy, assisted suicide etc.
Types of Victim
Moral crimes are often thought to be victimless. However, arguably the offender and the victim can
often be the same person. For example, prostitution, vagrancy and under-age drinking can involve
the offender and victim being the same person.
Types of Offender
This can differ from crime to crime or even, as described above, be the same person. However, the
offender is commonly in a difficult situation, for example financially or personally, such as a
homeless vagrant or someone forced into, for example, prostitution for financial reasons.
Example
A case study that links to Moral Crime is the assisted suicide. Kay Gilderdale gave assisted suicide to
her daughter who was suffering from a terminal illness. She received lots of backlash and almost was
charged with murder for doing this.
Public Awareness
This is often low as many of the offences are hidden from offenders' families. Alternatively, it is often
a crime that the public ignore due to sympathy for the victims, rather than a desire to report them to
the police. For example, vagrancy often brings sympathy for the victim for having to sleep rough.
Deviant or Criminal?
Such acts are likely to be both criminal and deviant. Overall, society disagrees with the activities,
which are all against the law.
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