WJEC Level 3 Applied Certificate & Diploma Criminology sample

AC1.1 ANALYSE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CRIME White-collar crime Criminal offences White-collar crimes are generally non-violent crimes usually committed in commercial situations for financial gain. Examples could include: • computer and internet fraud • credit card fraud • tax evasion. Organised white-collar crime can concentrate on protection rackets but also involves illegal gambling and prostitution. Types of victim People who are targeted by white-collar criminals are usually those who have funds to invest in a finance scheme, for example recently retired workers. Often, people are recruited by friends or acquaintances. This is particularly the case in Ponzi schemes, which are fraudulent investment scams promising high rates of return with little risk to investors. However, the returns are funded by money from new investors as the offender keeps the initial investment for their own use. Types of offender White-collar criminals are usually people of respectability and high social status, who are trusted by the victims. They often work in commercial employment, hence the reference to wearing a white-collared shirt and tie. Offenders can also involve organised groups such as the Mafia (Italy, USA), Triads (China), Yakuza (Japan), as well as organised crime gangs in Eastern Europe and the UK. Level of public awareness Many white-collar crimes are difficult to prosecute because the perpetrators use sophisticated means to conceal their activities through a series of complex transactions. The offender usually appears to be a respectable person and therefore suspicion is not aroused. Consequently, the level of public awareness is often low, especially as violence-related crimes are usually more widely publicised. Deviant or criminal? As part of the analysis the exam specifications require comment on whether the offence is criminal or deviant or both. 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. White-collar crime is usually committed by a business person who wears a shirt and tie. 15