NCJ Number
193117
Date Published
2001
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This essay discusses victimization issues related to transnational white-collar crime, including how seriously it is viewed by various constituencies and the methodological issues that must be addressed in future research.
Abstract
Financial fraud directly affects victims' health, sense of well-being, and life and financial opportunities; impacts the sense of security of many members of the public and other business people; contributes to a loss of business in international capital markets; and contributes to a loss of legitimacy in both political and criminal justice systems. Another important dimension of the impact of fraud is victim self-blame and shaming that often accompanies it. In all countries, serious financial frauds are dealt with consistently as "serious crimes." This is because in most advanced economies, the manufacturing and primary sectors are in decline, and the service sector, including financial services, has become more important. Public attitudes toward and reactions to fraud vary according to the nature of the fraud and the victims involved. The fraudster who cruelly hoaxes his or her victims is more likely to attract the censorious headline than the more sophisticated operator who robs larger sums but from less vulnerable victims, especially if they are overseas. A review of the extent of international fraud considers data from international personal crime surveys relating to fraud and corruption, along with findings from international corporate fraud surveys. 6 notes and 32 references