WHITE COLLAR CRIME - THE EMERGING THREAT

• NCJ Number: 65304
• Journal: Australian Police Journal Volume: 33 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 131-138
• Author(s): T M LEWIS
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: Australian Police Journal
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: ADDRESS GIVEN BY COMMISSIONER LEWIS, AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS, AT BRISBANE ON THE 18TH OF APRIL, 1979

Annotation

WHITE COLLAR CRIME COSTS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR AND IS DIFFICULT TO DETECT AND PROVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT INVOLVES COMPUTERS.

Abstract

CONTROL OF WHITE COLLAR CRIME THROUGH DETECTION AND EVIDENCE GATHERING IS DIFFICULT. IF BUSINESS WILL NOT POLICE ITSELF, THE BEST NEW LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE USELESS. INVESTIGATION OF FRAUD, THE BASIS OF MUCH WHITE-COLLAR CRIME, IS DIFFICULT. INVESTIGATORS MUST PROVE LOSS, ESTABLISH RESPONSIBILITY, THE METHOD OF FRAUD, AND SUSPECT GUILT. CENTRALIZED STORAGE OF A COMPANY'S RECORDS AND SENSITIVE INFORMATION IN A COMPUTER MAKES FRAUD, THEFT, AND MISCHIEF MORE TEMPTING. COMPUTER CRIMINALS ARE TRUST VIOLATORS WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LAXITY IN COMPANY SECURITY OR POOR JOB DEFINITION OR SUPERVISION TO EXPLOIT THE SYSTEM FOR THEIR BENEFIT. ACCOUNTS OF COMPUTER CRIMINALS EMBEZZLING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS DEMONSTRATE THE LACK OF SECURITY IN MANY COMPANIES, DIFFICULTY IN ENSURING SECURITY WHEN RECORDS ARE COMPUTERIZED, AND INADEQUATE PENALTIES SUFFERED BY EVEN LARGE-SCALE EMBEZZLERS. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT LESS THAN 1 PERCENT OF ALL COMPUTER CRIME IS DETECTED AND THAT WHITE COLLAR CRIME COST 40 BILLION IN 1974. FINALLY, PRESENT-DAY JURIES LACK THE KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE JUDGMENTS IN HIGHLY TECHNICAL COMPUTER CRIME CASES. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROSECUTING WHITE COLLAR CRIME INCLUDE USING SPECIAL, KNOWLEDGEABLE TRIBUNALS AND CONSTRUCTING NEW RULES OF EVIDENCE. (PAP)