White-collar crime definition

White-collar crime is typically defined as nonviolent illegal activity committed in a professional or business setting by an executive or manager. The motive is usually personal enrichment.

The spectrum of white-collar crimes is broad and includes such actions as embezzlement, insider trading, public corruption, theft of trade secrets, bribery and more. White collar crimes are committed by business entities as well as individuals.

White-collar crime may have far reaching economic impact to even entire nations. Penalties have historically been disproportionately light in comparison to other crime but that is changing as the societal impacts are recognized. There is nothing benign about white-collar crime.