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Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun County|Montgomery County|City of Newport News|City of Norfolk|City of Petersburg|City of Portsmouth|Prince George's County|Prince William County|Queen Anne's County|City of Richmond|Roanoke County|Spotsylvania County|Stafford County|St. Mary's County|City of Suffolk|City of Virginia Beach|Washington County|Wicomico County|City of Williamsburg|City of Winchester|Accoceek County|City of Alexandria|Anne Arundel County|Arlington County|City of Baltimore|Baltimore County|Carroll County|City of Charlottesville|City of Chesapeake|Chesterfield County|Charles County|Clarke County|Culpeper County|Fairfax County|City of Falls Church|Fauquier County|Frederick County, MD|Frederick County, VA|City of Fredericksburg|Harford County|Henrico County|City of Hopewell|Howard County|Loudoun 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What Are Common Financial Crimes in Virginia?

 Posted on June 06, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Fauquier County, VA criminal defense lawyer for financial crimesWhite collar crimes cover a broad spectrum of non-violent offenses that generally involve allegations of financial deceit or concealment for the individual’s personal financial gain. When facing allegations of a financial or economic crime in Virginia, you need to seek the legal guidance of an experienced Warrenton, VA white collar crime defense attorney to learn more about your rights and how you can fight to protect them.

Common Fraud Offenses in Virginia

According to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services’ most recent Examination of Economic Crimes, fraud offenses accounted for over 325,000 of the nearly 417,000 economic crimes from 2011-2020. The crimes listed in the report include:

  • Obtaining property by false pretenses: A type of theft where someone obtains valuables by falsely representing themselves or their circumstances.

  • Credit card/ATM fraud: The use of another person’s identifying or card information to make unauthorized withdrawals or purchases.

  • Welfare fraud: Intentional misuse of public assistance programs to obtain benefits or services that someone would otherwise not qualify for.

  • Wire fraud: Use of electronic communications, such as texts, calls, email, or the internet, to defraud someone of property, services, or money.

  • Identity theft: Using a person’s personal or identifying information fraudulently, typically for financial gain.

  • Computer invasion: Commonly called hacking, this involves gaining unauthorized access to a computer system, device, or network

Obtaining money or property by false pretenses makes up the majority of recorded offenses, followed by credit card fraud. For all fraud-related offenses reported in the study, law enforcement made fewer than less than 45,000 arrests during the reporting period.

Understanding Embezzlement in Virginia

Embezzlement is another type of financial crime common in Virginia mentioned in the Examination of Economic Crimes. Embezzlement typically occurs in a business, government, or organizational setting where a person entrusted with funds or property misuses those funds, typically for personal use. The government treats offenders with these charges seriously as this type of crime can have a profoundly negative impact on an entity’s finances and reputation. Embezzlement can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor in Virginia depending on the money or value of the items involved.

Counterfeiting/Forgery Charges in Virginia

Additional economic crimes singled out in the study include counterfeiting, forgery, or uttering. When they hear the term "counterfeit," many people think of fake money, but it also includes the creation, alteration, or use of false documents to deceive or defraud, usually for monetary gain. Nearly 18,000 people were arrested in the Commonwealth of Virginia between 2011 and 2020 for these categories of crimes, which are felonies in Virginia. If you find yourself charged with one or more of these offenses, having experienced representation is invaluable in fighting the charges.

Contact a Warrenton, Virginia Financial Crimes Defense Attorney Today

If you are facing charges for a financial crime, the experienced Fauquier County, VA white collar crimes defense lawyer at Whitlock Law can help you understand the allegations and the possible defense strategies that may apply to your case. The penalties for crimes like fraud and embezzlement can be devastating. To ensure you have a fighting chance of defending yourself, call 703-576-5005 and schedule a free initial consultation with our knowledgeable attorney today.

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