NCJ Number
150460
Journal
Gang Journal Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (1993) Pages: 17-36
Date Published
1993
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article describes and critiques the procedures used to study a gang of unconvicted credit card fraud artists.
Abstract
Acting in the capacity of investigative-observer and using field research techniques, the author explored the world of the fraud artists. A clique of more than a dozen loosely associated economic law-violators was studied and observed over 5 years. Members of this clique had various levels of expertise and showed diverse degrees of experience in what is referred to as "the business." A legally sanctioned unscrupulous small business operator first introduced the author to group members, who were at that time journeyman fraud artists. The researcher was later welcomed into the inner circle of the clique as a result of the acceptance by members. Most of the data were obtained through unstructured questioning and interviewing; useful information was also obtained through a structured instrument. The analysis of the observations and responses of the subjects revealed, among other findings, that Sutherland's concept of the professional criminal and crime continues to have utility and applicability in depicting contemporary patterns of criminal behavior and systems. The law-violating activities of this particular gang of loose- knit "fraud masters" were advanced compared to those exhibited by amateurs. This qualified them as professional criminals. A major finding of the investigation is that fraud masters and other nonviolent criminals, as unique and successful categories of economic offenders, can be observed and interviewed in their natural setting. In addition to documenting behavior patterns and identifying special environments, the researcher determined the process of co- opting and recruiting new members. 1 table and 54 references