Who commits a white-collar crime?

Answer 1

Edwin Sutherland introduced the concept of "white-collar crime" in 1939. It covers a wide range of financial crimes, including tax evasion, embezzlement, and money laundering that exist from insider trading to insurance fraud. The person committing the crime, the method of commission, and frequently the severity of the offense distinguish these crimes from, say, "blue-collar crimes."

White-collar crime is a non-violent crime where money is usually the main motivation. White-collar criminals typically hold a professional position of authority and/or status that pays far more than the average wage. The majority are middle-class white men with at least some college degrees. They are in their late 30s to early 40s, employed, typically married, and active in their communities and churches. Most of them had already engaged in less serious criminal behavior.

Numerous motives exist for committing white-collar crimes. Money, clout, or even power may be used to sway them. However, they're often non-violent crimes committed by those who have some degree of affluence. Understanding a white-collar criminal's psychology involves more than just understanding why they commit these crimes. However, the fact that some level of privilege is necessary sets them apart from other crimes. White-collar crimes like embezzlement and corporate fraud can only be done if someone has access to specific financial accounts and private information, unlike burglary and assault, which may be perpetrated by anybody.