White collar crime is a catch all term applied to a number of offences often committed for personal and financial gain. Below we look at the origins of the term, explore examples of white collar crime and present some of the challenges criminologists might face when it comes to defining and discussing the concepts associated with the label.
Written by Editorial Team. Published 15 July 2025.
What is white collar crime?
The term white collar crime was first used by the influential criminologist Edwin Sutherland in 1939. Sutherland believed a person’s social status influenced the kind of criminal activity they could become involved in, defining white collar crime as “a crime committed by a person of high social status and respectability in the course of his occupation”.
Sutherland’s definition of white collar crime – which he himself recognised as vague – has been criticised, debated and revised by contemporary criminologists. However, it’s generally accepted by most that white collar crimes are non-violent, financially motivated and committed by individuals in business and professional roles.
Examples of white collar crime
White collar crime covers a range of illegal activity, including but not limited to the following:
- Bribery and corruption
- Cybercrime
- Embezzlement
- Fraud
- Identity theft
- Insider trading
- Money laundering
- Theft
Though it may not dominate the news like other crimes sometimes do, white collar crime can have wide reaching consequences. The National Crime Agency (NCA) recently reported fraud made up an estimated 41% of all crime reflected in the Crime Survey for England and Wales and stated financial crime poses a significant threat to individuals, businesses and the wider public.
Bribery and Corruption
Bribery and corruption can involve offering, giving, accepting or soliciting something of value to influence decisions or actions.
Cybercrime
Cybercrime includes hacking, ransomware and phishing attacks and online fraud. Whilst not all cybercrime is defined as white collar, it accounts for a large proportion of it, with over 80% of all fraud cases defined as cyber-enabled by the NCA.
Embezzlement
Embezzlement involves obtaining funds or assets dishonestly for personal gain. Related crimes are usually prosecuted under the Theft Act 1968 or Fraud Act 2006.
Fraud
Fraud involves deliberate deception for personal or financial gain. The NCA reported an estimated 3.2 million fraud offences for the year ending March 2024.
Identity theft
Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person's personal information without consent, often for financial gain.
Insider trading
Insider trading is a form of market abuse and involves the buying or selling of stocks based on confidential information not available to the public. It’s monitored by the Financial Conduct Authority “to increase market integrity and investor protection”.
Money laundering
Money laundering is the multi-step process used to disguise the proceeds of crime and make the funds appear as legitimate earnings.
White collar crime and criminology
An interesting note for criminology students to consider; research from Cifas, a not-for-profit fraud prevention service, reported 48% of UK adults believe it’s “reasonable” to commit first party fraud. Examples of first party fraud include exaggerating income on a mortgage or loan application, claiming non-delivery of an item and embellishing qualifications, skills or experience on a CV.
Technology is also changing how white collar crime is committed. The number of cases is rapidly increasing, and the NCA reports over 70% of all fraud offences in the UK have ties to overseas criminals. The evolving methods employed by criminals and the international nature of their operations adds more legal complexity to preventing, investigating and prosecuting such crimes.
Criminologists study crime and criminal behaviour. Ask yourself, what drives people to commit white collar crimes? Is there a perception that white collar crime is victimless? Is white collar crime committed by mistake in certain corporate environments due to a lack of comprehension or understanding? Is it easier to prosecute an individual rather than a corporation? Is there less appetite to prosecute the privileged? These are just some of the many questions you’ll tackle if you choose to study criminology.
If you’re interested in learning more about the causes of criminality, justice and preventing crime explore our range of criminology degrees and enrol today.
