Although white-collar crime, cybercrime, and organized crime are sensationalized in the media, television shows, and movies, they actually cause a significant amount of harm. Technology continues to change the way in which crime is committed in each of these areas, making it important to use caution and stay informed of tips for personal safety. Perhaps one benefit of watching the shows and movies on these topics (beyond simply for entertainment) is to learn more about how these crimes have occurred in the past so we can work to prevent them in the future.

9.6.4 Summary

The category of white-collar crimes is broad enough to include all those crimes committed in the corporate world to exploit others for financial gain. Forgery is the practice of producing or using a fake version of a real document to try to get some benefit. Fraud is a more generalized term encompassing a wide variety of behaviors designed to deceive for the purposes of gaining some benefit, usually money. Embezzlement involves using officially obtained financial assets for purposes outside the scope of their intended use, usually for personal gain. Money laundering is taking illegally obtained, or “dirty” money and making the money appear “clean” by running it through recognized channels and businesses to make the money appear legitimately earned and sourced. Extortion addresses situations where a person is threatened with some kind of harm unless the victim does an action or provides a benefit to the offender. Bribery involves financial inducement to gain a benefit.

Cybercrime is the use of computer technology to facilitate the commission of a crime. Any existing crime can be planned, solicited, conspired, or attempted online. For a crime to be considered a cybercrime, it must be substantially accomplished through the use of cybertechnology. Common cyber-variations of traditional crimes include online predators, fraudulent sales or theft, threats, intimidation, or bullying, and online financial schemes. Cyber versions of fraud are those that illegally obtain personal information and data for illegal use and benefit of the offender. Spoofing and phishing are schemes aimed at tricking people into providing sensitive information to scammers. Ransomware is malicious software, or malware, which looks safe but once downloaded, prevents someone from accessing computer files, systems, or networks in exchange for a financial ransom.

Organized crime consists of gangs, mobs, mafia, or any sort of criminal syndicates that are an association of individuals who work together to make money through illegal means. They work to gain power, influence, and money usually through criminal activity that includes corruption and violence. The RICO Act is a federal law designed to combat organized crime in the United States that was passed in 1970. This law allows for prosecution of the heads of criminal organizations, even when they do not commit the crimes themselves. Organized crime enterprises commit basic crimes at all levels, but they tend to rely on more complex criminal ventures including drug dealing and trafficking, human and migrant smuggling or trafficking, exotic wildlife smuggling, illegal firearms trafficking, and the sale of stolen goods and artifacts.

9.6.5 Resources

• The Organized Crime and Gang Section (OCGS) of the Department of Justice provides news alerts about all their work related to organized crime and the prosecution of criminal syndicates at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ocgs/ocgs-press-room/2022.
• The FBI provides resources on how to protect yourself from cybercrime at https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/cyber.