Thursday, February 08, 2007

The phrase “White Collar Crime” has been around so long that few remember when the working world was divided into office workers who wore suits with starched and pressed white shirts, and laborers and tradesmen who favored denim overalls and rumpled blue chambray shirts.  The term was coined during the ‘Great Depression’ of the 1930s by a sociologist, a Dr. Sutherland.  The scientist (betraying his bias) sought to distinguish crimes committed by poor (blue collar), therefore desperate persons, from offenses committed by those enjoying a higher station in life. Although not clearly defined, the term today generally encompasses a variety of nonviolent crimes usually committed in business situations for financial gain.

While White Collar Crime is considered “victimless” it is not without cost.  According to the FBI, White Collar Crime in the United States alone amounts to more than $300 billion annually.

The most common White Collar offenses include: antitrust violations, computer and Internet fraud, credit card fraud, phone and telemarketing fraud, bankruptcy fraud, healthcare fraud, environmental law violations, insurance fraud, mail fraud, government fraud, tax evasion, securities fraud, insider trading, bribery, kickbacks, counterfeiting, money laundering, embezzlement and trade secret theft.

White Collar criminal activity can be the work of one “lone wolf” defendant, or a network of perpetrators, often within an organization. The penalties for white-collar offenses can be restrictive or require imprisonment and include fines, home detention, paying prosecution costs, forfeitures, restitution, and supervised release.

The FBI, the Internal Revenue Service, the Secret Service, U.S. Customs, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, participate in the enforcement of federal white-collar crime legislation. In addition, most states employ their own agencies to enforce white-collar crime laws at the state level.

Often, prior to involving the Federal authorities, business owners or individuals who suspect they are the victims of White Collar Crime, usually contact a Forensic Investigative firm to perform discreet computer forensic and forensic accounting procedures.  Once court-admissible evidence is obtained, the Federal agencies are contacted.

Kessler International is the leading authority on investigating and curtailing White Collar Crime. For nearly 20 years, Team Kessler maintained its global leadership in forensic accounting, computer forensics, and many other practice capabilities.  For more information about Kessler International and the services we provide, contact Michael G. Kessler at 1-800-932-2221 or visit the Kessler International website at www.investigation.com.

See also: Practice Capabilities:
http://www.investigation.com/money_laundering.htm

http://www.investigation.com/trademark_search.htm

http://www.investigation.com/copyshield.htm

http://www.investigation.com/anti_counterfeiting.htm

Posted by Blog Admin in • Forensic Accounting
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