Question

Write a short note on the following:

White collar crimes

Answer 1

White collar crimes are non-violent, occupational crimes committed by individuals in respectable positions such as businessmen, politicians, government officials, doctors, lawyers, and others involved in professional or business sectors. These crimes are typically committed for financial gain or power, and are often masked by social respectability.

Examples include:

• Blackmail, financial manipulation, and black marketing
• Misappropriation of public funds
• Illegal prescriptions of narcotics by doctors

A key feature of white collar crime is that the offender often does not view himself as a criminal, and society also tends to overlook or “white-wash” such crimes due to the offender's status. The criminal may see himself merely as a lawbreaker rather than someone morally wrong.

These crimes pose a serious threat to public trust and disturb the moral and social standards of society. The offender typically treats crime as a profession, waiting for opportunities and repeating such acts for gain.