Common White Collar Crimes & Legal Citations
Wire Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343): Using electronic communications (email, internet, phone) to execute a scheme to defraud.
Example: A scammer sends “phishing” emails to employees to trick them into transferring company funds to an offshore account.
Example: A scammer sends “phishing” emails to employees to trick them into transferring company funds to an offshore account.
Mail Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1341): Using the postal service or any private interstate carrier to advance a fraudulent scheme.
Example: Mailing false invoices to a business to obtain payment for goods or services that were never delivered.
Example: Mailing false invoices to a business to obtain payment for goods or services that were never delivered.
Bank Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1344): Knowingly executing a scheme to defraud a financial institution or obtain its property via false pretenses.
Example: Intentionally providing false income information on a loan application to secure a larger line of credit.
Example: Intentionally providing false income information on a loan application to secure a larger line of credit.
Securities and Commodities Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1348): Deceptive practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or commodities.
Example: A “pump and dump” scheme where individuals spread false positive rumors about a stock to artificially inflate its price before selling their shares.
Example: A “pump and dump” scheme where individuals spread false positive rumors about a stock to artificially inflate its price before selling their shares.
Money Laundering (18 U.S.C. § 1956 & § 1957): Conducting financial transactions with proceeds from illegal activities to disguise their true origin.
Example: Using a cash-based “front” business to deposit illegal drug money into legitimate bank accounts.
Example: Using a cash-based “front” business to deposit illegal drug money into legitimate bank accounts.
Healthcare Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1347): Defrauding any healthcare benefit program, including Medicare or private insurance.
Example: A medical clinic billing an insurance provider for diagnostic tests that were never actually performed on patients.
Example: A medical clinic billing an insurance provider for diagnostic tests that were never actually performed on patients.
Tax Evasion (26 U.S.C. § 7201): Willful attempts to evade or defeat any tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Code.
Example: An individual or corporation maintaining a second set of financial books to hide income and reduce overall tax liability.
Example: An individual or corporation maintaining a second set of financial books to hide income and reduce overall tax liability.
Bribery of Public Officials (18 U.S.C. § 201): Giving or receiving anything of value to influence an official act.
Example: A contractor paying a government official to ensure they are awarded a lucrative infrastructure contract.
Example: A contractor paying a government official to ensure they are awarded a lucrative infrastructure contract.
Aggravated Identity Theft (18 U.S.C. § 1028A): Knowingly using another person’s identification during the commission of another felony.
Example: Using a stolen Social Security number to file for fraudulent tax refunds or government benefits.
Example: Using a stolen Social Security number to file for fraudulent tax refunds or government benefits.
Embezzlement (Various, e.g., 18 U.S.C. § 641, § 656): The theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one’s trust or belonging to one’s employer.
Example: A company accountant transferring money from the business payroll account into their personal bank account.
Example: A company accountant transferring money from the business payroll account into their personal bank account.
Racketeering (RICO) (18 U.S.C. § 1962): Engaging in a pattern of criminal activity through a legitimate enterprise.
Example: A legitimate shipping company being used by its owners to systematically facilitate bribery and fraud over several years.
Example: A legitimate shipping company being used by its owners to systematically facilitate bribery and fraud over several years.
Insider Trading (15 U.S.C. § 78j; SEC Rule 10b-5): Buying or selling stocks based on material, non-public information.
Example: A corporate executive selling their shares after learning about an unannounced government investigation that will likely drop the stock price.
Example: A corporate executive selling their shares after learning about an unannounced government investigation that will likely drop the stock price.
Additional White Collar Categories
Bankruptcy Fraud (18 U.S.C. §§ 152, 157): Concealing assets during a bankruptcy proceeding to avoid paying creditors.
Cybercrime / Computer Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1030): Unauthorized access to computer systems to obtain financial information or disrupt operations.
Forgery (18 U.S.C. § 471): Creating or altering documents with the intent to deceive others.
Perjury (18 U.S.C. § 1621): Knowingly making a false statement under oath.
Cybercrime / Computer Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1030): Unauthorized access to computer systems to obtain financial information or disrupt operations.
Forgery (18 U.S.C. § 471): Creating or altering documents with the intent to deceive others.
Perjury (18 U.S.C. § 1621): Knowingly making a false statement under oath.