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Theories of White Collar Crime

From the perspective of an offender, the easiest targets to fall trap to "white collar" crimes are those with certain degree of vulnerability or those with symbolic or emotional value to the offender. Examples of these people can be family members, clients, and close friends who are wrapped up in personal or business proceedings with the offender. The way that most criminal operations are conducted is through a series of different particular techniques. In this case, a technique is a certain way to complete a desired task. When one is committing a crime, whether it be a shoplifting or tax fraud, it is always easier to successfully pull of a task with an experienced technique. Shoplifters who are experienced at stealing in plain-sight are much more successful than those who do not know how to steal. The stark difference between a shoplifter and someone committing a white collar crime is that aspects of these crimes are not physical but instead consist of acts like talking on the phone, writing, and entering data . These acts are perfectly legal and those committing have the right to do so. There is no "guilt" associated with the acts in the same way that a shoplifter might feel stealing from as store. White collar criminals are comfortable, and are often not face to face with their victims.

Often these criminals utilize the "blame game theory", a theory in which certain strategies are utilized by an organization or business and its members in order to strategically shift blame by pushing responsibility to others or denying misconduct. This theory is particularly used in terms of organizations and indicates that offenders often do not take blame for their actions. Many members of organizations will try to absolve themselves of responsibility when things go wrong.

Forbes Magazine lays out four theories for what leads a criminal to commit a "white collar" crime. The first is that there are poorly designed job incentives for the criminal. Most finance professionals are given a certain type of compensation or reward for short-term mass profits. If a company incentivizes an employee to help commit a crime, such as assisting in a Ponzi Scheme, many employees will partake in order to receive the reward or compensation. Often, this compensation is given in the form of a cash "bonus" on top of their salaries. By doing a task in order to receive a reward, many employees feel as though they are not responsible for the crime, as they have not ordered it. The "blame game theory" comes into play as those being asked to carry out the illegal activities feel as though they can place the blame on their bosses instead of themselves. The second theory is that the company's management is very relaxed when it comes to enforcing ethics. If unethical practices are already a commonplace in the business, employees will see that as a "green light" to conduct unethical and unlawful business practices to further the business. This idea also ties into Forbes' third theory, that most stock traders see unethical practices as harmless. Many see white collar crime as a victimless crime, which isn't necessarily true. Since many of these stock traders can't see the victims of their crimes, it seems as if it hurts no one. The last theory is that many firms have unrealistic, large goals. They preach the mentality that employees should "do what it takes" to make the firm successful, which often leads to unethical business practices. The competitive idea that one employee should be matching or exceeding the accomplishments of the other to further the firm puts a pressure on brokers to break the law in order to stay on top. The firm often does not outline what is deemed ethical and unethical, leading to blurred lines.

This combination of theories can effect why a white collar criminal takes part in the actions that they do.