Financial crimes are offenses that involve illegal acts committed by an individual or a group of individuals to obtain a financial or professional advantage. The principal motive in such crimes is economic gain.
Financial crimes can be broadly categorized into several types, including fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, bribery, embezzlement, insider trading, and identity theft. Each category encompasses a range of specific illegal activities that are prosecuted under various laws and regulations.
Several government agencies are tasked with investigating and prosecuting financial crimes. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury that collects and analyzes information about financial transactions to combat domestic and international money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.
Enterprise crimes are another important concept in the realm of financial offenses. These crimes are typically committed by organized groups or enterprises and often involve complex schemes to generate illegal profits.